Chris Sale scratched minutes ahead of the Atlanta Braves’ most important game of 2024 MLB season

The Atlanta Braves found themselves in a win-or-go-home situation on the final day of the regular season, but they got hit with a curveball of their own just before the first pitch.

Chris Sale was scratched from his start due to back spasms. With everything on the line in the second game of a doubleheader against the New York Mets, the Braves had to pivot, turning to right-hander Grant Holmes as their emergency starter.

According to MLB.com, Holmes found out about his starting role late Monday afternoon, giving him little time to prepare for the high-stakes outing.

The situation couldn’t be more critical for Atlanta. After dropping the first game of the doubleheader, the Braves are in a win-or-go-home scenario. A loss would end their season and send the Arizona Diamondbacks to the playoffs, while the Mets have already secured a wild-card spot thanks to their earlier win.

Monday’s doubleheader against the New York Mets had massive postseason implications for both teams. Both squads needed at least one win to have a shot at locking down the final two NL Wild Card spots.

New York squeaked out a victory in the first game, putting Atlanta’s back against the wall in Game 2. The plan was to send their ace, Chris Sale, to the mound—until that plan fell apart minutes before game time.

Chris Sale scratched with ‘back spasms’

Chris Sale has been scratched with back spasms. Felt it last night

— Mark Bowman (@mlbbowman) September 30, 2024

#Braves Alex Anthopoulos said they just didn't feel like pushing Chris Sale through the injury was responsible. Sale felt back spasms in 2nd inning vs. Cincinnati.

— Grant McAuley (@grantmcauley) September 30, 2024

Chris Sale was scratched due to back spasms. Talk about bad timing.

Listen, Sale has been dominant and will probably win the National League Cy Young Award, posting an 18-3 record and a 2.38 ERA over 29 starts—his best stretch since 2017. His 225 strikeouts in 177 2/3 innings make him a frontrunner over Zack Wheeler to take home the hardware.

Breakdown: Mets and Braves enter Monday’s doubleheader needing just one win to secure one of the two available NL Wild Card spots

Now, his status is in question at the worst possible moment for the Braves – who could have to play the San Diego Padres tomorrow night in the first of three possible Wild Card games this week.

Assuming the Braves do punch their tickets to the postseason, it will be interesting to see if Sale’s back spasms are cured and he’s ready to go in San Diego. Sale reportedly began feeling discomfort in his back on Sunday night, but no one expected him to be a late scratch for such a crucial game.

In my humble opinion, if Atlanta ends up getting swept in today’s doubleheader and fails to make the postseason, then there’s no chance in hell that Major League Baseball can award him with the NL Cy Young award.

At that point, give it to Zack Wheeler >>

Chris Sale scratched because of 'back spasms' with the season on the line and people want to hand him the Cy Young Award?

He should be disqualified.

— Drew Smith (@drewmsmith) September 30, 2024

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