Braves’ ace lefty Chris Sale faces off against the Twins’ Wild-Card Push

The National League Cy Young Award is Chris Sale’s to lose as the lefty returns to the mound Wednesday night for the Atlanta Braves as they continue an interleague series at fellow wild-card contender Minnesota.

The Braves are favorites on the MLB odds.

Atlanta Braves -148

Already hammered by major injuries, the Braves avoided disaster over the weekend when leadoff hitter, outfielder and former NL Rookie of the Year Michael Harris was hit on the wrist by a pitch but not only will avoid the injured list but was able to pinch-hit in on Monday’s series-opening win over the Twins. With Harris not starting, manager Brian Snitker put Whit Merrifield in the leadoff spot and Jarred Kelenic in center field. Snitker said the Braves will put Harris back into the starting lineup once he can swing a bat without any pain or discomfort.

“Initially, when it happened, I had enough adrenaline going to stay in for a little while. As it kind of set off, going back up to swing again after contact, I don’t think it was best to do that, so I came out and got treatment, got the tests done and everything’s good. Just whenever I’m feeling 100 percent again, that’s when it’s time to go,” Harris said.

.@Braves pull Michael Harris in the 5th inning.

Harris was hit in the wrist/hand in his 1st inning AB. https://t.co/alB3dFU9Pt

— Luke Hetrick (@LHSportsTV) August 25, 2024

Austin Riley

Also, currently on the IL is the starting third baseman, who might not make it back before the end of the regular season from his right-hand fracture. Since finalizing a one-year contract with Atlanta last Tuesday, former Tiger Gio Urshela has quickly settled into an everyday role at third base.

Chris Sale on the Hill

It’s ace lefty Chris Sale (14-3) on the mound Wednesday. Sale yielded two runs on nine hits and a walk over seven innings in a no-decision last Friday against Washington, and struck out four during the extra-inning win against the Nationals. The only damage against Sale came in the fourth inning on a two-run double by Andres Chaparro.

Sale saw his streak of starts with double-digit punch outs end at three, but he did turn in his third straight quality start. He’s allowed two or fewer earned runs in 13 consecutive starts, posting a 2.25 ERA over that span. Sale owns a 2.62 ERA alongside a 191:33 K:BB through 147.2 innings this season.

Sale was one of the best pitchers in MLB from 2012-18 with the White Sox and Red Sox before injuries hit. In that span, he made seven All-Star teams, showed up on four Most Valuable Player ballots, won a ring with Boston, and was the most valuable pitcher in the American League by a wide margin. But Sale never actually won a Cy in that stretch, placing in the top four in four different seasons. Via WAR, he’s tied with Roy Oswalt for the ninth-most valuable pitcher of the 21st century. Each of the eight ahead of him won the award at least once, combining for 19 total victories. In his career vs. the Twins, Sale is 11-6 with a 3.81 ERA in 144.0 innings spanning 30 appearances.

Following this road trip, Atlanta is not scheduled to play another team above .500 away from home this season. The Braves have trips to the Nationals, Reds and Marlins remaining.

Minnesota Twins +112

Minnesota remains without a few starters on the injured list, led by outfielder/DH Byron Buxton (right hip inflammation) and All-Star shortstop Carlos Correa (right plantar fasciitis). Manager Rocco Baldelli said Monday that Buxton was “getting closer” to heading out on a rehab assignment, which isn’t likely to be an extended one, ahead of his return in center field.

Carlos Correa

Correa was placed on the 10-day IL on July 20 (retroactive to July 16) and received a platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injection. It’s the opposite foot from the lingering issue that held back his production throughout 2023. Correa expects to return this season, saying “it’s just a matter of when,” and needs to continue being reactive to the pain as he determines when to ramp up to more aggressive running and activity in cleats, which he has not yet done.

David Festa on the Hill

It’s rookie on the mound for the Twins. Festa (2-3) took the loss last Friday, giving up three runs on three hits and two walks over 3.2 innings as the Twins fell 6-1 to the Cardinals. He struck out five. The right-hander tossed an inefficient 75 pitches (45 strikes) as he saw another early exit. Festa retired the first seven batters he faced tonight, but things unraveled quickly afterward.

The Twins are being cautious with Festa, and the 24-year-old has yet to pitch more than five innings in any of his first eight big-league appearances (seven starts), but that hasn’t led to impressive numbers. Through 36.1 innings, he’s served up seven homers and been saddled with a 5.20 ERA and 1.32 WHIP. This will be Festa’s first career start vs. Atlanta.

To Keep in Mind

The Braves are facing a lefty in Atlanta’s Chris Sale, and Minnesota ranks third in the majors with a 2.63 against lefties, behind only Arizona (.279) and Philadelphia (.275). The Twins have a .439 slugging percentage off lefties, the fourth-best in baseball. In his last 31 games against lefties, Carlos Santana is slashing .344/.417/.703 (1.120 OPS). Royce Lewis is slashing .310/.391/.586 (.978 OPS) against left-handed pitching this season.

Braves at Twins Info

When: Wednesday, 7:40 PM ET
Where: Target Field
Pitchers (away/home): Chris Sale/David Festa
TV: MLB Extra Innings
Stream/game day audio: https://www.mlb.com/live-stream-games/

MLB Betting Center

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