Chris Sale 'Still An Option' For Game 2 Because Playoff Baseball Hates Straight Answers

Playoff baseball is officially back, which means we have entered the annual month-long festival of teams refusing to give a straight answer about their starting pitchers. The latest entry comes from Atlanta Braves bench coach Walt Weiss, who told reporters that Chris Sale is "still an option" to pitch Game 2.

That is exactly the kind of non-update that sends sportsbooks into a holding pattern and gives fans a mild ulcer. There is a massive difference between a veteran ace taking the mound and literally anyone else in the bullpen getting the nod.

"Walt Weiss says Chris Sale is 'still an option' to pitch Game 2."

According to USA Today's Bob Nightengale, Weiss keeping the door open means Sale is not officially ruled out. Officially, Sale is listed as active and healthy on the roster, but the fact that his status requires a public clarification tells you the anxiety in Atlanta is very real.

Saying a guy is "still an option" is the baseball equivalent of telling your friends you might make it to dinner when you haven't even gotten off the couch yet. It technically leaves the door open, but nobody should be ordering you an appetizer.

For a Braves team trying to navigate the chaotic early rounds of October, having their top arm available is the ultimate trump card. Sale has the kind of swing-and-miss stuff that short-circuits opposing lineups and swings series odds in a hurry.

Until Atlanta actually posts the lineup card, everyone is just guessing. If you are holding a ticket on Game 2, you are basically betting on Walt Weiss's definition of the word option.