Chris Sale Voices Support for Ronald Acuña Jr. During Postseason Struggles

Chris Sale shared his support for Ronald Acuña Jr. as the Braves prepare for a pivotal Game 3 against the Dodgers.

by Pardon Joshua

Oct 6, 2026

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (51)

Patrick Gorski-Imagn Images

Ronald Acuña Jr. has struggled to find his swing early in the postseason, but the Atlanta Braves have not lost confidence in their star outfielder. Chris Sale offered his support for Acuña as Atlanta prepares for a pivotal Game 3 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.

The Braves return home Tuesday with the NLDS tied at one game apiece after splitting the first two games at Dodger Stadium. Atlanta won Sunday’s Game 2 by a 3-2 score behind a strong bullpen performance and three hits from Michael Harris II.

The series now shifts to Truist Park, where Sale will make his first NLDS start against the Dodgers. RowdySports.TV reported that Sale spoke via Zoom about Acuña before the Braves traveled back to Atlanta, noting that the team’s confidence in its superstar has not changed.

Acuña has gone 3-for-18 without an extra-base hit through the Braves’ first five postseason games, including the Wild Card Series and first two NLDS games. He is hitting .167 with no home runs or RBIs in the postseason, although he has stolen three bases.

That production is well below what Atlanta expected from Acuña after he finished the regular season with a .255 batting average, 20 home runs, 55 RBIs and 21 stolen bases. His .796 OPS also reflected the impact he can have when he is producing from the middle of the lineup.

Atlanta Braves starting pitcher Chris Sale (51)

Benny Sieu-Imagn Images

Sale, meanwhile, gives Atlanta one of its biggest advantages as the series moves to Georgia. The left-hander finished the regular season 14-9 with a 2.16 ERA and 200 strikeouts across 162 2/3 innings.

He also has recent success against Los Angeles. Sale threw a complete-game shutout against the Dodgers on Aug. 27, allowing five hits while striking out 11. He then worked as a reliever in Atlanta’s Wild Card Series clincher against Philadelphia before being held back for Game 3.

The Braves and Dodgers enter Game 3 with the series even at 1-1, making Tuesday’s matchup particularly important. Acuña will have another opportunity to break out at the plate while Sale takes the mound against Yoshinobu Yamamoto, with Atlanta trying to take its first series lead.