No one is angrier about Chris Sale's underwhelming start to the 2025 season than the starter himself. Sale had some choice words about his performance in the first four starts of the season. While the results are far from ideal, at least Atlanta fans can take some heart in the fact that there hasn't been any hint of injuries causing Sale's issues. It appears to be simply a lack of execution, with the pitcher still having the needed velocity and movement on his pitches.
Unfortunately for the Braves, Sale has been far from the only player struggling to start the season. While Atlanta's offense has started to turn things around, the team is still waiting on Sale and the bullpen to rebound. The veteran pitcher is showing his frustration and leaving every reason to believe the problem will work itself out over the next weeks of the season.
Braves Shouldn't Overreact to Chris Sale's Dismal 2025 Start
Sale is 0-2 with a 6.63 ERA and is yet to get an out in the 6th inning. It is a jarring difference from the dominating force the veteran was in his Cy Young-winning 2024 season. While this version of Sale might not return fully, the pitcher is far too established to believe this is who he will be moving forward.
While the team has no other choice due to a lack of options, the right decision is to let Sale continue to try and work things out on the mound himself. At this stage of his career, there isn't much Atlanta coaches or manager Brian Snitker can do but trust Sale to get it right and fight his way out of an ugly start to the season. Without Sale being at least a reliable innings-eater, this team has no chance of turning the season around.
Even with the pending return of Spencer Strider, the team needs at least three starters they can rely on moving forward. For Atlanta's 2025 fortunes to change, Chris Sale, Spencer Strider, and Spencer Schwellenbach must become a reliable trio that helps eat innings and hide the team's biggest weakness, that is, the 2025 bullpen. As annoying of a start as it has been for the veteran, fans must remain patient, understanding it is only a matter of time until Sale turns the corner.