Braves - Dodgers: Chris Sale Sits Out Game 2, Ray Kerr to Start
The Atlanta Braves will start Ray Kerr instead of Chris Sale in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Chris Sale, the Braves' ace pitcher, will not start in Game 2 of the NLDS against the Los Angeles Dodgers. According to ESPN, the Braves have 'zero regrets' about not pitching Sale on short rest. Instead, they will go with their bullpen and start Ray Kerr as an opener.
The decision comes after the Braves chose to give Sale extra rest, as reported by MLB.com. Manager Walt Weiss explained that the team wants Sale to be at full strength, not 80 percent, and that they've given him extra rest all year with great success.
Advertise with usYour brand hereIn-feed (between news) · Native cardBook this space →Sale had sought to take the mound in Game 2, but the Braves chose to go with their initial plan. Weiss noted that Sale would pitch every day if asked, but the team knows its club well and made the decision to prioritize Sale's health.
The Braves and Dodgers are currently tied at 1-1 in the best-of-five series. Game 2 is scheduled for Sunday night, with Blake Snell starting for the Dodgers and the Braves yet to announce their starter.
Why it matters
The decision to sit Sale out of Game 2 highlights the importance of player health and team strategy in the postseason.
What's next
The Braves and Dodgers will face off in Game 2 on Sunday night, with the series tied at 1-1.
How the story unfolded
Read the original reporting
ESPN – Braves have 'zero regrets' about pitching Chris Sale in relief ↗
MLB.com – Braves will go with their bullpen, not Sale on short rest, to start Game 2 ↗
The New York Times – Chris Sale will want the ball in Game 2. The Braves shouldn’t give it to him - The Athletic ↗
Yahoo Sports – NL Division Series Game Discussion: Braves vs Dodgers Sunday Night ↗
CBS Sports – Dodgers vs. Braves prediction, odds, time: 2026 NLDS Game 2 picks by proven model ↗
How we made this brief: FlashFeed brings together facts reported by the outlets listed above and writes a fresh, short explanation with the help of AI. Every brief is checked so it does not copy the publishers' wording. The original reporting belongs to those outlets – please read their full stories.
