Chris Sale Opens Spring With Precision as Braves Fall to Twins

The final score won’t flatter the Atlanta Braves, who dropped an 8–1 spring training decision to the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. But in late February, the box score rarely tells the whole story. The more meaningful takeaway came in the first two innings, where ace Chris Sale quietly delivered a crisp and encouraging debut.

Sale worked two scoreless frames, allowing two hits while striking out three. The headline, however, was his command. According to MLB.com’s Mark Bowman, the veteran left-hander threw a first-pitch strike to every batter he faced. In spring training, where pitchers are often calibrating timing and mechanics, that level of early-count precision stands out.

First-pitch strikes set tone and leverage. They allow a pitcher to dictate tempo, expand the zone, and avoid unnecessary traffic. For Sale, the ability to get ahead immediately in counts played a central role in his smooth outing. Even when hitters made contact, they were rarely in comfortable situations.

Beyond the numbers, the eye test supported the optimism. Sale’s fastball had life. His slider featured the sharp, late bite that has defined his career. Several offerings drew awkward swings that suggested hitters were already behind his sequencing. There were moments where his pitches looked simply untouchable.

At 36, Sale no longer needs to prove he belongs among baseball’s elite. The question has never been talent. It has been durability. When healthy, he remains one of the most deceptive and difficult matchups in the sport, particularly for left-handed hitters trying to track his crossfire delivery.

If Sunday’s appearance is an early indicator, Sale appears poised to anchor Atlanta’s rotation once again. The velocity was stable. The movement was sharp. The confidence was evident.

Limited Support in Otherwise Uneven Team Performance

Sale’s effort was one of the few bright spots in an otherwise inconsistent outing for the Braves. After he exited, the pitching staff experienced mixed results, surrendering runs in multiple innings while struggling to contain Minnesota’s lineup.

There were still flashes of promise.

Prospect JR Ritchie contributed two shutout innings, showcasing maturity and poise beyond his years. His command profile continues to trend upward, and the Braves’ player development staff will be encouraged by how efficiently he attacked hitters.

On the offensive side, reigning National League Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin delivered two hits, including a home run that briefly energized the dugout. Baldwin continues to demonstrate the balanced approach and power that made him one of the breakout stories of 2025.

Matt Olson added a double, while Luke Waddell chipped in with two hits of his own. But collectively, the offense failed to sustain pressure long enough to compensate for the bullpen’s rough stretches.

Spring games are rarely linear. They are laboratories more than competitions. Still, competitive teams prefer cleaner performances, even in February.

Early Spring Takeaways

Atlanta now sits at 1–1 in spring play, a record that carries little meaning but provides context for workload management and roster experimentation. The bigger picture revolves around health, execution, and establishing rhythm.

For Sale, the checklist looked promising. He filled the zone. He generated swing-and-miss. He maintained mechanical consistency. Most importantly, he exited the mound without issue.

The Braves will next face the Baltimore Orioles before meeting the Detroit Tigers and Pittsburgh Pirates as camp progresses. Those contests will offer additional opportunities to evaluate rotation depth and bullpen alignment.

If Sunday’s debut is any indication, Chris Sale remains very much the stabilizing force atop Atlanta’s staff. When he commands the first pitch, he controls the inning. When he controls the inning, he controls the game.

The Braves may have lost the afternoon, but their ace delivered a reminder: precision still travels, even in spring.