Breaking News: Atlanta Braves Implement a Strategic Shift in Their Pitching Rotation Against the Mets.

The Atlanta Braves’ entire season hinges on a critical series against the New York Mets. A win could keep their playoff hopes alive, while a loss would mean starting over for the 2025 World Series.

The three-game series begins on Tuesday night, featuring Spencer Schwellebach pitching against Luis Severino. Currently, the Braves are two games behind the Mets for the final Wild Card spot in the National League, and they aim to make the playoffs for the seventh consecutive year.

Despite numerous injuries this season, manager Brian Snitker and his coaching staff have managed to keep the team competitive and in contention for a playoff spot, which many consider impressive. However, some fans are questioning Snitker’s rotation decisions as the season draws to a close.

Notably, the Braves have an off day on Monday, which could have allowed Chris Sale to pitch on full rest for Tuesday’s game, potentially making him available for the crucial finale if needed. Instead, Snitker opted to give Sale an extra day off, starting Schwellebach for the opener.

While it seems straightforward to utilize Sale—who is poised to win his first Cy Young award—to try to save the season, there are other factors at play. Sale, being an older pitcher, hasn’t thrown this many innings in five years, and he appeared fatigued in his last game. Ensuring he’s fully rested for this crucial matchup against the Mets makes sense, and it would also leave him available for a potential Wild Card series.

However, baseball often proves that it’s risky to conserve a pitcher for a game that might not happen. If the Braves find themselves in a do-or-die situation on the final day without Sale, Snitker’s choices will likely face significant scrutiny as the offseason approaches.