Chris Sale allowed two runs over five innings in defeating the Reds on Thursday.
Sale’s velocity was down from the start today. He dialed it up some in the third, but he was particularly low in the final two innings. In the fifth, six of his seven fastballs failed to reach 91 mph. On the whole, he averaged 92.7 mph with his fastball, down from 94.9 mph on the year. Sale’s velocity was also down in his first two starts on September before bouncing back last time out against the Dodgers. We’re guessing some of this is intentional as he tries to save bullets for the postseason. It hasn’t hurt him in the process; he’s allowed only three runs this month, and the Braves have won his last eight starts. He’s 18-3 with a 2.38 ERA headed into a potentially huge final regular-season start next week against the Mets.