MLB spring training is finally here, leaving Atlanta Braves fans excited for the upcoming 2025 season.
After back-to-back 100-win campaigns, the Braves came back down to earth with an 89-73 record in 2024. Although their effort was still good enough to make the playoffs, their postseason run didn't last long as they were swept by the San Diego Padres in the NL Wild Card Series, leaving the club looking to start the new season on a high note.
The Braves' potential bounce back starts with their spring training schedule, beginning with Saturday's clash against the Minnesota Twins.
Braves Spring Training News: Chris Sale to Start vs. Twins on Saturday
Braves fans now know who'll be starting on the mound for the exhibition opener. On Tuesday, The Athletic's David O'Brien revealed that left-handed ace Chris Sale is getting the nod to start against the Twins this weekend.
#Braves’ Chris Sale will start Saturday’s Grapefruit League opener vs. Twins.
— David O'Brien (@DOBrienATL) February 18, 2025
After an injury-riddled run in Boston, Sale was traded from the Red Sox to the Braves ahead of the 2024 season. It didn't take long for management to fall in love with the eight-time MLB All-Star hurler, signing him to a two-year, $38 million extension less than a week after the trade went through.
The Braves' blind faith in Sale paid off as he re-established himself as one of baseball's best arms last season. Making 29 appearances for Atlanta (his highest total since 2017), the veteran southpaw pitched his way to a dominant 18-3 record while leading the Majors in ERA (2.38) and ERA+ (174) as well as home runs (0.5) and strikeouts (11.4) per nine innings.
Unsurprisingly, Sale's dominance paid off in the form of his eighth All-Star nod and first-ever Cy Young victory.
It'll be interesting to see how many innings the Lakeland, FL native will pitch on Saturday. Sale pitched 14 2/3 innings across five spring training appearances last year, finishing the exhibition slate with a 3.07 ERA, 23 strikeouts, and five walks allowed.
Time will tell if Sale can effectively build off last year's Cy Young performance. In the meantime, Braves fans can tune into Saturday's spring training opener by listening live on ESPN Atlanta 103.7 FM and Braves Radio Network at 1:05 p.m. ET.