Atlanta Braves manager Walt Weiss explained his decision to start opener Ray Kerr in Sunday's Game 2 of the National League Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers instead of going with Chris Sale.
"At the end of the day, we want full-strength Chris Sale," Weiss said, according to MLB Network.
Weiss added, "He'd be on normal rest from his last start, but he had the outing in between, so not sure you're getting the best version of him pitching today. We're certain we will (with him) pitching Game 3."
Sale started Game 1 of the NL wild-card series against the Philadelphia Phillies and then returned Thursday to record the final four outs in the series clincher. While starting the 37-year-old Sale in Game 2 of the NLDS was a consideration, Weiss opted for Kerr, who threw 47 pitches in Game 3 versus the Phillies.
Weiss confirmed that Sale isn't hurt or sore, according to Chad Bishop of The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. was asked how he felt about Sale not starting Game 2 with Atlanta trailing in the series.
"I don't know what I'm going to say about this because I can't control that," he told reporters pregame. "I can control what I can control. So, today we go out and try to win. I'm doing my best - my team too - and we'll see what happens today."
