Chris Sale takes the mound … weather permitting.
The Braves are beyond the midway point of spring training, which means games that count are just on the horizon. Weather permitting, they’ll send the reigning Cy Young winner out to the mound this afternoon at 1:05 p.m. ET against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Your reigning Cy Young winner on the mound#BravesST pic.twitter.com/ab7AJ95eJG
— Atlanta Braves (@Braves) March 10, 2025
Jurickson Profar is out (as expected) as he recovers from a bone bruise in his wrist, but a bevy of the Braves’ regulars will be behind Sale today. Let’s hope Profar is able to get back on the field within the next week or so.
It’s notable that Drake Baldwin is catching Sale for the second time in as many starts with Sean Murphy dealing with a cracked rib. The expectation is Baldwin will be Atlanta’s catcher to begin the season and catch Sale in the season opener on March 27 in San Diego.
Tampa Bay is projected to start righty Joe Boyle, a hybrid arm who joins the Rays after spending the last few years with Oakland.