Atlanta Braves star Chris Sale is set to lead his team into their National League Wild Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies on Tuesday. The Braves will be confident heading into the series, as they won the NL East while the Phillies narrowly reached the postseason as the No. 6 NL Wild Card team. Of course, anything can happen in the MLB playoffs. For Sale, he often pitches every game with a postseason-like intensity. He was recently asked if that being his regular approach to all games helps him once the playoffs begin.
“Absolutely. I don't think you want to play on your heels ever,” Sale told reporters. “I don't think you ever want to take any game, any inning, any pitch lightly, and I think the more you can practice something, the better you're going to be at it.”
Sale finished the season with a sparkling 2.16 ERA. He likely won't win the NL Cy Young as Jacob Misiorowski is on track to take home the award, but he's still been one of the best starters in the game.
For the Phillies, Jesus Luzardo will start the game as an opener. He dealt with an injury toward the end of the regular season but is set to open Tuesday's game.
Article Continues BelowThe Braves-Phillies rivalry is among the best in baseball. These teams are competitive with one another, and there's certainly a sense of familiarity.
“Yeah, I think just playoff baseball is fun in general. It doesn't matter who you play. But division rivalries are always fun too,” Phillies shortstop Trea Turner said before the NL Wild Card Series. “That familiarity is there, just the game of baseball, back and forth, how your at-bats went, how your matchups went in previous series, what are they going to do to you this time around, how are you going to make adjustments.
“Seeing that I think is really cool from a baseball fan perspective. It's going to be a good battle. I think it's two good teams going up against each other, and we're looking forward to it.”
The Braves will host the Phillies in Game 1 of the NL Wild Card Series at 2 PM ET on Tuesday afternoon.