Toronto Star
· collected 2026-10-05 · by Charles Odum The Associated Press
Walt Weiss, manager of the Atlanta Braves, defended his decision to use relief pitchers in Games 1 and 2 during their NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers, citing that it leaves ace pitcher Chris Sale fully rested for Game 3 on Tuesday. Critics had argued for starting Sale earlier, but Weiss emphasized that a well-rested Sale is better than a possibly diminished version. The Braves' bullpen performed exceptionally in Game 2, with Ray Kerr and Didier Fuentes combining for six innings of scoreless relief before Raisel Iglesias secured the victory. Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas acknowledged the effectiveness of Atlanta's bullpen strategy.
Written locally by qwen2.5:14b on 2026-10-05,
using this article's own text rather than the other coverage of the
same event (that is the story summary below).
ATLANTA (AP) — Walt Weiss heard what he described as “screaming” from those who criticized his decision to have Ray Kerr open a bullpen game for the Atlanta Braves in Game 2 of the NL Division Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.
asserted
Kerr → hear → Dodgers
The critics thought Weiss should have started Chris Sale in Game 2 so the ace left-hander might also be an option if a Game 5 is necessary.
uncertain
Game → think → Game
A Game 2 start on Sunday would have been normal rest for most pitchers, but the 37-year-old Sale has thrived this season when given extra rest.
asserted
Sale → thrive → rest
Also, Sale recorded the final four outs as a reliever in Thursday night’s 6-2 win over the Philadelphia Phillies to clinch the NL Wild Card Series.
asserted
Sale → record → Series
Weiss acknowledged on Monday “it’s satisfying” that his decision to use his bullpen worked out so well in the Braves’ 3-2 Game 2 win that evened the best-of-five series 1-1.
asserted
that → acknowledge → series
“In the end, yeah, as we sit here today, it’s the best-case scenario that we could possibly have,” Weiss said.
uncertain
Weiss → sit → that
“Now we win the game, we win the bullpen game, and now we have a fresh Chris Sale ready to go.”
asserted
Sale → win → game
Sale is expected to start Game 3 on Tuesday night against Dodgers right-hander Yoshinobu Yamamoto, the 2025 World Series MVP.
asserted
Sale → expect → Yamamoto
He said Monday he told Weiss he could start on Sunday.
uncertain
he → say → Sunday
“I told him I was available,” Sale said.
asserted
Sale → tell → him
“I felt confident in my ability to go out there and be able to perform at a high level.
asserted
I → feel → level
I really felt confident in myself in starting Game 2.
asserted
I → feel → Game
I reiterated that plenty of times to them.
asserted
I → reiterate → them
Full strength Sale vs. diminished Sale
Weiss agreed Sale could have been good by most pitchers’ standards on normal rest.
uncertain
Sale → agree → rest
The manager said he preferred a fully rested Sale.
asserted
he → say → Sale
“If you have Sale in Game 2 and Game 5, as people were screaming about, we saw it as you’re getting a diminished Chris Sale twice at that point,” Weiss said.
asserted
Weiss → have → point
“We wanted to get a full-strength Chris Sale, and that’s Game 3.”
asserted
that → want → Sale
Weiss left open the possibility Sale could pitch in relief if there is a Game 5.
uncertain
Sale → leave → relief
Respect from the Dodgers
Kerr threw 2 2/3 scoreless innings and right-hander Didier Fuentes gave up one run in 3 2/3 innings before closer Raisel Iglesias earned his second save.
asserted
Iglesias → throw → save
“Yeah, I mean, it’s a good bullpen out there,” Dodgers infielder Miguel Rojas said.
asserted
Rojas → mean → ?
“They’re throwing the ball really well.
asserted
They → throw → ball
They got guys with big arms, and they know how to use them.
asserted
they → get → them
So you’ve got to give credit to the opposition, too.”
asserted
you → get → opposition
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said the back-to-back bullpen games by the Braves “showed that they’re going to use any pitcher, try to get every matchup possible.
asserted
they → say → matchup
Obviously them pushing Fuentes to almost four innings ... shows they’re going to ride certain guys, and obviously they use their bullpen accordingly.”
asserted
they → push → bullpen
Braves right-hander Tyler Mahle is expected to start Game 4 on Wednesday night.
asserted
Mahle → expect → night
Depleted rotation put relievers in spotlight
asserted
rotation → put → spotlight
Led by Kerr, Atlanta’s six relievers combined to allow six hits and two runs.
asserted
relievers → lead → hits
“We took a lot of shots at how we approached that game, but in the end it all worked out,” Weiss said, adding the bullpen has been the team’s most consistent strength as the Braves faced a long series of injuries that left the rotation depleted.
Left-hander Martín Pérez was expected to be part of the postseason rotation before landing on the 15-day injured list on Sept. 24 with lower back inflammation.
asserted
Pérez → take → inflammation
The Braves also have lost starting pitchers Spencer Schwellenbach, Spencer Strider, Reynaldo López, Bryce Elder and Hurston Waldrep this season.
asserted
Braves → lose → pitchers
The Aporia
