Chris Sale starts Padres Braves series finale Thursday
Chris Sale is slated to start Thursday's Padres Braves series finale at Truist Park, with first pitch at 12:15 p.m. ET. Atlanta (59-42) seeks its 60th win and a first home series win over San Diego since 2018 after Wednesday's 7-6 victory. The NL East leaders host the Padres (50-52) in a lunchtime rubber-game matchup covered across Celebrity Breaking News.
Key Takeaways
- Chris Sale (10-6, 2.06 ERA) starts for Atlanta in Thursday's series finale versus San Diego.
- First pitch is set for 12:15 p.m. ET at Truist Park, with TV on BravesVision and streaming on MLB.tv.
- Battery Power previewed Griffin Canning (1-8, 6.67 ERA) opposite Sale; Canning owns a 12.91 ERA in 7.2 career innings versus the Braves.
- Atlanta is a heavy home favorite after Wednesday's 7-6 win; San Diego has taken four of six meetings this year.
- Sale last threw seven shutout innings against Texas and reached 2,700 career strikeouts.
Who is starting the Padres Braves series finale?
According to Battery Power, Atlanta's ace Chris Sale is lined up for the finale. Sale entered the day at 10-6 with a 2.06 ERA and just spun seven shutout innings, two hits allowed, and six strikeouts on 89 pitches against the Rangers.
That outing also pushed him to 2,700 career strikeouts. July has otherwise been mixed, including a rain-shortened start in St. Louis and five innings of three-run ball versus the Mets.
Battery Power's preview listed Padres right-hander Griffin Canning (1-8, 6.67 ERA) as the opposing starter. Canning lasted only two outs in the second inning in a June 23 start against Atlanta and carries a 12.91 ERA over 7.2 career innings versus the Braves. In his last four starts, he has not worked longer than 4.2 innings.
Why does this Padres Braves finale matter?
Atlanta can lock up the series with win No. 60 and end the homestand on a high note. Battery Power notes the Braves have not won a home series against the Padres since 2018, making Thursday a rare chance to change that streak with their ace on the mound.
CBS Sports reports the Braves lead the NL East at 59-42 and are 31-20 at home in 2026. The Padres sit third in the NL West at 50-52 and are 23-28 on the road. San Diego has won four of the six meetings between the clubs this season.
Wednesday's 7-6 Braves win guaranteed at least a series split and set up this early rubber game. Yahoo Sports flagged the 12:15 p.m. ET first pitch as a lunchtime finale for both fan bases.
What are the Padres Braves odds and how have hitters fared?
CBS Sports lists Atlanta as a -259 money-line favorite, with San Diego at +210. The run line is Braves -1.5 (-123), and the over/under sits at 8 runs. SportsLine's model projected about 8.3 combined runs after 10,000 simulations and leaned Over after the last two games of the series both cleared double-digit combined runs.
Against Sale, Battery Power notes Manny Machado leads Padres hitters at 11-for-35 (.355, .993 OPS) with a homer. Xander Bogaerts is 7-for-22 with a homer, while Fernando Tatis Jr. and Gavin Sheets also have homers in smaller samples. Jake Cronenworth is 0-for-10 with six strikeouts versus Sale.
Fans can catch the game on BravesVision, stream on MLB.tv, or listen on 680 AM / 93.7 FM The Fan and Los Bravos radio. For more celebrity and sports breakers, follow BlasterPost's Celebrity Breaking News desk.