ATLANTA (AP) — The Atlanta Braves scratched ace Chris Sale from their playoff-deciding doubleheader nightcap against the New York Mets on Monday, a game that also will determine the Arizona Diamondbacks’ postseason fate.
After a stunning 8-7 loss in the opener, Sale (18-3, 2.38 ERA) had been expected to get the nod in a game the Braves had to win to earn their seventh straight postseason berth.
But, after manager Brian Snitker kept insisting he was holding back Sale for a possible elimination game, it turned out the left-hander was dealing with a back injury. There was no timetable on when he might be able to go should the Braves make the playoffs.
Journeyman Grant Holmes (2-1, 3.78) made just his seventh start of the season in place of Sale.
An Atlanta win would eliminate the Diamondbacks while a Mets sweep would knock out the Braves and give Arizona a postseason berth.
Having locked up a wild-card slot, the Mets went with Joey Lucchesi (0-1, 10.38) in just his second big league appearance this season.
They held back Luis Severino (11-7, 3.91) for the Wild Card Series that begins Tuesday.
New York also rested shortstop Francisco Lindor, whose two-run, ninth-inning home run led the Mets to victory in the opener and clinched a postseason berth. Lindor returned Friday from a back injury that had sidelined him since Sept. 15.
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