Braves Ace Chris Sale to Face Former Red Sox Team

Atlanta Braves continue spring training slate against AL East opponents

Feb. 27, 2026 at 1:53pm

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The Atlanta Braves will continue their Grapefruit League schedule on Friday, facing off against the Boston Red Sox. Braves ace Chris Sale is set to take the mound against his former team, while the Red Sox will counter with righty Brayan Bello. The Braves are coming off a loss to the Yankees on Thursday and will also play the Orioles and Rays this weekend as part of an AL East-heavy spring training slate.

Why it matters

The Braves and Red Sox are both 4-2 to start spring training, making this an intriguing matchup between two teams looking to gear up for the regular season. The game also features the return of Chris Sale to face his former Red Sox squad, adding an extra layer of drama and storylines.

The details

The Braves will be without injured starters Schwellenbach and Waldrep to start the season. The team is still evaluating its final roster spots, with battles ongoing for the last bench spot, the final rotation opening, and remaining bullpen roles. Bryce Elder and Carlos Carrasco are among the pitchers vying for those spots, with mixed results so far in spring training. The Red Sox are also working through their own roster decisions, particularly in the crowded outfield where players like Nate Eaton and Andruw Monasterio are making strong cases for roster spots.

  • The Braves and Red Sox game is scheduled for Friday, February 27, 2026 at 1:05 PM.

The players

Chris Sale

The ace pitcher for the Atlanta Braves, who is set to face his former team, the Boston Red Sox.

Brayan Bello

The right-handed pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, who will start against the Braves.

Bryce Elder

A Braves pitcher who is the favorite to claim the final rotation spot ahead of opening day.

Carlos Carrasco

A 38-year-old Braves pitcher who struggled in his second spring training outing, making it hard to see him making the final roster over younger pitchers.

Nate Eaton

A Red Sox outfielder who has been swinging the bat well this spring, making the Red Sox's outfield predicament even tougher.

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What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This matchup between the Braves and Red Sox features intriguing storylines, including the return of Chris Sale to face his former team and the ongoing roster battles for both clubs as they prepare for the regular season.