If there’s one guy with something to prove in 2025, it’s the Atlanta Braves ace Chris Sale. He stormed back onto the scene last year, winning his second Cy Young Award and reminding the baseball world that he’s still got the magic.
But now comes the real test: Can he do it again? Because one great season is nice, but two in a row? That’s when legends get made.
FanGraphs: A Full-Season Workhorse for the Braves?
And let me tell you, the expectations are sky-high. Just one year ago, Sale was more of a “let’s see if he stays healthy” kind of pitcher.
Now? Braves fans are holding their breath, hoping he can anchor the rotation for a full season. The projections? They paint two slightly different pictures, depending on who you ask.
First up, FanGraphs. They’ve got Sale putting up a rock-solid 14-8 record, a 3.07 ERA, and a 4.6 WAR over 31 starts. That’s 187 innings, 230 strikeouts, and a 1.07 WHIP—numbers that say, “Hey, I might not win the Cy Young again, but I’m still an elite arm.”
Most importantly, that total of the innings suggests they’re confident he will stay healthy. And for a guy who’s battled injuries in recent years, that might be the biggest win of all.
Baseball Reference: A Shorter but Still Dominant Season?
Now, Baseball Reference? They’re not quite as optimistic. They have Sale finishing at 12-6 with a 3.28 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP, and 183 strikeouts in just under 160 innings.
That’s nearly 30 fewer innings than FanGraphs is predicting, which suggests they’re expecting him to miss a little time. Still a very good season, but not quite the full workhorse version Braves fans are hoping for.
But here’s where it gets interesting: Baseball Reference is throwing in a curveball. They predict Sale will pick up a save at some point in the regular season. And that, my friends, is fascinating. Sale hasn’t pitched out of the bullpen in a regular-season game since 2012.
The last time he did it at all? Oh, just the 2018 World Series, when he shut the door to seal a championship for the Red Sox.
Could we see a dramatic ninth-inning appearance in September when the Braves are in a tight race? Don’t rule it out.
Can Sale’s Health Hold Up?
Bottom line: Both projections agree that Sale will be a force. The only real question is his durability. If he holds up, the Braves are in a prime position to reclaim the NL East.
And at age 36, another Cy Young would be a cherry on top, but Atlanta really wants another ring.
