Braves ace Chris Sale (back spasms) scratches late against Braves

Atlanta Braves star Chris Sale was ruled out for Game 2 of Monday's doubleheader against the New York Mets due to back spasms as the Braves needed a win to advance to the playoffs.

Right-hander Grant Holmes, who is 2-1 with a 3.78 ERA this season, started in Sales' place. Sale, the favorite for the National League Cy Young Award, was 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA this season.

Braves general manager Alex Anthopoulos described Sales' back spasms as an “everyday thing” when he spoke to the media Monday after Game 1 of the doubleheader. That won't stop Sale from starting in a wild-card series game that could begin Tuesday against the San Diego Padres if the Braves win Game 2 of the doubleheader.

The decision not to start the sale was made this afternoon in order not to risk further injury. Sales' fastball velocity dropped in his last regular-season start on Sept. 19 against Cincinnati. He averaged 92.7 mph in this launch, having averaged 95.9 mph in the previous launch on September 14th.

The Braves had to win one of Monday's two games to secure a wild card spot. They started Spencer Löhnebach in Game 1, who pitched a gem until the eighth inning when the Braves blew a three-run lead and a one-run lead in the ninth inning and lost the game to the Mets.

A win for the Braves in Game 2 on Monday would lead to them facing the Padres on Tuesday, while a loss would mean the No. 6 seed for the Arizona Diamondbacks and No. 5 seed for the Mets, who would face the Padres.