With the arrival of spring comes the anticipation of baseball’s comeback. The Atlanta Braves are preparing for the 2025 season in the hopes of recovering from a disappointing 2024 campaign.
The squad is keen to move on after finishing with an 89-73 record and losing in the postseason. Chris Sale will be leading the charge on the mound as they begin their adventure on Saturday against the Minnesota Twins in a spring training opening. Given Sale’s outstanding play from the previous season, the news, which was made earlier this week, is hardly shocking.
The seasoned left-hander, who was acquired from the Boston Red Sox before to the 2024 season, immediately established himself as a vital member of Atlanta’s rotation.
Sale had an outstanding 18-3 record with a league-best 2.38 ERA and made 29 starts, his most since 2017.
He also dominated the strike zone, averaging 11.4 strikeouts per nine innings and giving up only 0.5 home runs per nine, which is the lowest percentage in the major leagues. His reputation as one of baseball’s best pitchers was cemented when those stats won him his first career Cy Young Award and an eighth All-Star selection.
Sale’s success during the regular season was largely influenced by his spring training performance from the previous year.
He pitched 14 2/3 innings in five preseason outings, recording a 3.07 ERA, 23 strikeouts, and five walks. The Braves are looking for more of the same this spring as they get ready to compete in the National League East.
As they attempt to move past last year’s postseason setback, Braves fans will get their first look at the team’s ace when Sale takes the mound to start the preseason schedule. ESPN Atlanta 103.7 FM and the Braves Radio Network will provide live coverage of Saturday’s game, which starts at 1:05 p.m. ET.
Leave a Reply