Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss confirmed Sunday that Chris Sale will start Game 1 of the National League Wild Card Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.
The best-of-three series opens Tuesday at Truist Park. Games 1 and 2 are both scheduled for 2 p.m. Eastern. A deciding Game 3, if needed, would be played Thursday.
Sale finished the regular season 14-9 with a 2.16 ERA. The left-hander struck out 200 batters in 162 2/3 innings and posted a 0.98 WHIP. Atlanta used extra rest between many of his starts this year to keep him lined up for October.
The Braves wrapped the regular season at 94-68 and won the NL East by six games over the Phillies, who finished 88-74 and claimed the last National League wild-card berth.
Atlanta will host all three games. The clubs split their season series, and Sale faced Philadelphia twice in September, including a seven-inning outing on Sept. 11.
NBC and Peacock will carry the series. Matt Vasgersian has the play-by-play.
“John Kruk will be a color commentator for Braves-Phillies NLWCS, along with C.J. Nitkowski and Joey Votto,” Bleacher Report’s Tim Kelly wrote. “Matt Vasgersian is the play-by-play.”
Tyler Mahle is expected to start Game 2 on Wednesday afternoon. Mahle closed the year with a 3.99 ERA after a five-inning outing against Cincinnati on Sept. 24.
Grant Holmes is the leading candidate for a potential Game 3. Holmes went 10-6 with a 3.44 ERA in 151 2/3 innings and 29 starts.
“With just three healthy experienced starters remaining, there’s no reason to debate the options,” MLB.com’s Mark Bowman wrote. “Sale will start Game 1 and Mahle will start Game 2 on Wednesday afternoon. Holmes could start Game 3 (if necessary) on Thursday, but the Braves may choose to use (Ray) Kerr or (Brent) Suter as an opener. (Grant) Holmes would then follow with the hope he could pitch at least four innings.”
Philadelphia has not named a Game 1 starter.
“The Phillies are working through their pitching situation for Game 1 of the Wild Card Series, several people said,” The Athletic’s Matt Gelb wrote. “It could be some combination that involves a cast of Jesús Luzardo , Andrew Painter and others. They’ll have some clarity at Monday morning’s workout in ATL.”
Luzardo went 14-5 with a 2.87 ERA and 221 strikeouts in 179 2/3 innings before a late-season shoulder issue. He was activated from the injured list Sunday and threw one scoreless inning in the regular-season finale. Painter finished with a 5.40 ERA in his last start and spent much of the year with an ERA above 5.00.
The Braves must submit their Wild Card roster by Tuesday morning. One open question is whether to carry a third catcher.
“The Braves will discuss their WC Series roster tomorrow,” Bowman explained on Sunday. “One question may be whether to carry a third catcher. They may decide they don’t need one for a three-game series. That would improve the possibility of Kyle Farmer or Dominic Smith being on the roster.”
Carrying two catchers would free a roster spot for extra infield or outfield depth. Farmer and Smith have both seen time as utility options this season.
Sale’s confirmation came after his final regular-season start against Cincinnati on Sept. 23, when he struck out 10 in 5 2/3 innings and allowed one run.
“Credit to @MrChadBishop for getting Walt Weiss to confirm Chris Sale will start Game 1 of the WC Series,” Bowman noted.
Atlanta improved by 18 wins from 2025 and will open the postseason at home for the first time in this format. The winner advances to face either the Milwaukee Brewers or Los Angeles Dodgers in the Division Series.
Weiss and the coaching staff will use Monday’s workout to finalize remaining pitching and roster decisions before first pitch Tuesday.
