Braves name Chris Sale Opening Day starter in San Diego

The Atlanta Braves have named Chris Sale as their Opening Day starter for the 2025 season, set to face the San Diego Padres. This will be Sale's first Opening Day start with the Braves and his sixth overall. Spencer Strider, last year's Opening Day starter, is recovering from surgery and will not start. Max Fried, who started for three consecutive years, has signed with the New York Yankees. Sale had a standout 2024 season, winning the NL Cy Young Award and leading the league in wins, ERA, and strikeouts. He has performed well in Spring Training, with a 3.52 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 15 innings.