Chris Sale just did something he hadn’t done since Opening Day

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Chris Sale just did something he hadn’t done since Opening Day

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Matt Wadleigh | Last updated Sep 29, 2026 3:20 PM ET

The Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies kicked off the 2026 MLB postseason with Game 1 on Tuesday afternoon at Truist Park in Atlanta, Ga.

Chris Sale took the mound for Atlanta, but Philadelphia wasted no time as Alec Bohm had an RBI double in the top of the first inning.

Sale walked Kyle Schwarber before allowing the double, and it marked the first time since Opening Day that the Braves star allowed a hit on a fastball above the strike zone.

According to Statcast, Chris Sale gave up only one hit all season on a fastball above the strike zone. And that was a single to Bobby Witt Jr. – on Opening Day. https://t.co/frSSo6yZuA
— Jayson Stark (@jaysonst) September 29, 2026

Sale has been dominant this year, and he finished the regular season with a 14-9 record and a 2.16 ERA. However, Sale has now allowed three extra-base hits this season to Bohm.

In Sale’s last start against the Phillies, he went seven innings, allowing three runs on three hits in the Braves’ 6-5 extra-innings win, although Bohm went hitless in that showdown.

Right before that, Sale struck out Bryce Harper on a 100 MPH pitch, marking his second-hardest pitch of the season.

Chris Sale is looking NASTY through 2

Trea Turner: K
Bryce Harper: K
Bryson Stott: K
Edmundo Sosa: K

Sale’s 100.0 MPH strikeout to Harper was his 2nd-fastest pitch of the year! pic.twitter.com/30SppVrPMA
— Just Baseball (@JustBB_Media) September 29, 2026