Gather around because we’ve got some big news coming out of Atlanta—news that Braves fans have been waiting for. With Opening Day just around the corner, the Braves have officially named Chris Sale to take the mound for Game 1 of the 2025 season.
The reigning National League Cy Young winner will be leading the charge when the Braves kick off their season against the San Diego Padres on March 27. Ok, it’s not that big of news as we all knew it was coming. It is still exciting though!
A Redemption Arc Worthy of Hollywood
Let’s rewind for a second. If you had told baseball fans a couple of years ago that Chris Sale would be back in Cy Young form, they might’ve looked at you sideways. Between 2019 and 2023, the lefty’s career was looking like a classic “what could have been” scenario.
Injuries had limited him to just 56 starts over that five-year stretch. His ERA was well above his norm at 4.16. Things were looking rough for a guy who once seemed like a lock for Cooperstown.
Then came 2024. Sale didn’t just return to form—he dominated. A 2.38 ERA, an absurd 2.09 FIP, and 6.4 fWAR over 177.2 innings. He took home the Cy Young Award, snagging 26 out of 30 first-place votes.
It was a masterclass in perseverance, a reminder that when Chris Sale is healthy, he’s still one of the nastiest pitchers on the planet.
The New Ace of Atlanta
It’s been a bit of a revolving door at the top of the Braves rotation lately. Max Fried held down the Opening Day role for three straight seasons (2021-2023) before Spencer Strider got the honor last year. But with Fried now in pinstripes and Strider working his way back from surgery, there was really only one choice for 2025.
Sale has looked sharp in spring training, posting a 3.52 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP over 15.1 innings. He’s already showing Braves fans exactly why the team trusted him with this role. He’s battle-tested, playoff-proven, and he’s as dominant as they come when he’s locked in.
The Braves Revenge Tour Begins
Last season was frustrating for Atlanta as injuries piled up, key players went down, and the Braves fell short of their ultimate goal. But 2025 looks to be a different story.
Chris Sale is taking the ball for Opening Day and looks to set the tone for a team that has something to prove. The Braves are still loaded with talent, still a powerhouse in the National League, and they’re coming into this season with a chip on their shoulder.
Sale takes the mound versus the Padres on March 27, 4:10 p.m. ET. The first step in what the Braves hope will be a championship journey.
