The Atlanta Braves season did not end how the organization had hoped. After finishing first in the National League East and returning to the playoffs, their trip was cut short. While they were able to move past the wild card round, they fell to the Los Angeles Dodgers in four games in the NLDS.
Still, they may not have gotten that far without the efforts of left-hander Chris Sale. The 37-year-old veteran wrapped up his third season with the Braves and has been one of the best pitchers in the league again.
He is in contention for another NL Cy Young Award and earned his third straight All-Star selection with Atlanta. He owned a 2.16 ERA across 27 starts in the regular season along with 200 strikeouts in 162 2/3 innings.
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Sale provided value on the mound not just as a pitcher but also as a defender. Braves fans remember when Sale unfortunately broke a left rib in 2025 making a diving play, but it perfectly encapsulates the pride he takes in being a fielder off the mound.
The Braves announced on Wednesday that Sale had been named a finalist for the NL Gold Glove Award for pitchers.
He was not the only Brave nominated, as Michael Harris, Mauricio Dubón and Matt Olson were also named finalists.
For Sale, he will go up against Michael McGreevy of the St. Louis Cardinals and Nolan McLean of the New York Mets.
The winners will be announced in a couple of weeks on ESPN by Rawlings on November 1st. If Sale wins, it would mark the second Gold Glove of his career.
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- 5 best Atlanta Braves pitchers of all-time
