As the Atlanta Braves approach the latter part of their 2025 season, the question of what might have been looms large, especially concerning Chris Sale’s sudden rib injury. While injuries are not solely responsible for the Braves’ struggles this year, Sale’s absence has undeniably diminished their chances. Sale, who was a central figure in one of baseball’s strongest starting rotations, was an All-Star and a top pitcher before the injury sidelined him. The loss of such a key player has contributed to the Braves falling out of playoff contention well before the trade deadline.
Chris Sale’s Dominance Before His Injury
Before June 18, Sale was pitching at an elite level, showcasing his value to the Braves in every outing. In his last 10 starts, he posted a 1.23 ERA with 82 strikeouts over 66 innings pitched. He nearly completed a shutout game, which would have been his first since 2019 when he threw his last complete game. Sale consistently gave the Braves a deep presence in the rotation, pitching at least six innings in eight starts and seven innings in five of those. His command and stamina marked him as one of the most dominant pitchers in the league during this stretch.
Challenges Faced by the Braves Without Sale
Since Sale’s injury, the Braves have struggled to find effective replacements, whether through prospects or relying on bullpen-heavy lineups. No one has come close to providing the reliability and quality innings Sale delivered every five days. Although having Sale back wouldn’t have guaranteed a turnaround in the team’s overall fortunes, his presence would have eased the strain on the bullpen and reduced the need for emergency starters to log extended innings. This depth in the rotation is critical to preventing a season from spiraling into chaos, and his absence has left a significant gap.
The Lost Cy Young Opportunity
Alongside the team’s setbacks, Sale’s injury abruptly ended his bid to defend his Cy Young Award title. Although he was not the frontrunner when he went down, he was making a strong case to re-enter the conversation. His injury cut short another important chapter in his career comeback, denying him a chance to add to his accolades. While 2026 remains a possibility for redemption, the immediate loss of this opportunity is a significant blow to a player who has already faced several setbacks in his career.
Reflections on What Might Have Been
The season’s “what-ifs” highlight the harsh realities of baseball, where even outstanding pitching performances sometimes cannot carry a struggling team. Past Cy Young winners like Jacob DeGrom and Felix Hernandez have shown that exceptional pitchers can succeed despite weak team performances, underscoring the unusual difficulty faced by the Braves this year. Sale’s injury represents more than just a medical setback—it symbolizes the series of challenges that have kept the Braves from capitalizing on their full potential in 2025.