Chris Sale missed the COVID-shortened 2020 campaign while recovering from Tommy John surgery and made just 31 starts from 2021-23 before the Boston Red Sox traded him to the Atlanta Braves. He reclaimed elite status in his new home, but injury troubles struck again late and prevented him from competing in the playoffs. The superb left-handed starting pitcher is tired of missing games and big moments.
Article Continues BelowBack in the playoffs, for the first time in five years, Sale is intent on maximizing every opportunity he has to help the Braves win a championship. The 2024 Cy Young Award winner took the hill on only one day rest and finished off the Philadelphia Phillies in Game 3 of their National League Wild Card Series. He wanted the ball on Thursday, and it sounds like he is planning to face the Los Angeles Dodgers this Sunday.
“If I had to pitch tomorrow, I'd be ready,” Sale said after the Braves popped open the champagne and clinched a spot in the NL Division Series, per MLB.com's Mark Bowman.