Updated

Updated · The Atlanta Journal Constitution · Jul 15

Braves Reset Rotation With Sale Friday and Murphy's 1st MLB Start After 55-40 Break

Updated

Updated · The Atlanta Journal Constitution · Jul 15

Braves Reset Rotation With Sale Friday and Murphy's 1st MLB Start After 55-40 Break

Q: With key pitchers injured, are the Braves risking their season by relying so heavily on their 37-year-old ace, Chris Sale?

Yes — there is real risk, even if the Braves have little choice. Sale is pitching like one of the best starters in baseball. He is 10-6 with a 2.06 ERA through 105 innings, just threw seven scoreless innings against Texas, and remains the clear stabilizer of Atlanta’s rotation. On performance alone, the Braves are justified in leaning on him. The danger is the context around him. Sale is 37 and has a long injury history, including a ribcage fracture last year, and he has rarely handled a full, uninterrupted workload in recent seasons. Atlanta is also asking more of him because the rest of the rotation is unsettled. Spencer Strider is out until at least August, Spencer Schwellenbach is on a longer recovery track, and AJ Smith-Shawver is only beginning to work back. Martín Pérez may return soon, but beyond Sale and Pérez, general manager Alex Anthopoulos has effectively left rotation spots open. That explains why the Braves are turning to rookie Owen Murphy for his first major league start and considering patchwork options such as piggybacking Reynaldo López or other arms. Those are understandable moves, but they also show how thin the club is behind Sale. So the risk is not that Sale is failing; it is that Atlanta’s margin for error is too small if his workload becomes too heavy or if he misses time. The Braves are not recklessly gambling on him, but with so many injuries, their season is more exposed than a division leader would want.

3 articles · Updated · The Atlanta Journal Constitution · Jul 15

Chris Sale will start Friday against Texas at Truist Park as Atlanta opens the second half, with the left-hander coming off a rain-shortened outing Saturday and a non-appearance in the All-Star Game.
Owen Murphy is lined up for his first MLB start next, giving the Braves a look at the rookie after two relief appearances this month and a Triple-A stretch in which he posted a 3.88 ERA.
Atlanta's weekend plan also includes Grant Holmes on Sunday, while Bryce Elder and Reynaldo Lopez are out of the rotation after recent struggles.
The reset comes as the 55-40 Braves begin 17 straight games through Aug. 2, increasing the urgency to stabilize innings behind Sale.