{
  "id": 11367677,
  "title": "Braves' unlikely duo of ace Chris Sale and newest folk hero Ray Kerr combine to seal wild-card win over Phillies, deliver Atlanta to the NLDS",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/02/braves-unlikely-duo-of-ace-chris-sale-and-newest-folk-hero-ray-kerr",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-10-02T05:40:43.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Yahoo Sports",
    "slug": "yahoo-sports",
    "url": "https://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/article/braves-unlikely-duo-of-ace-chris-sale-and-newest-folk-hero-ray-kerr-combine-to-seal-wild-card-win-over-phillies-deliver-atlanta-to-the-nlds-054043178.html"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In a nail-biting Game 3 of the National League Division Series, the Atlanta Braves showcased the power of an unlikely duo, ace Chris Sale and rookie sensation Ray Kerr, to secure a hard-fought 6-2 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. Manager Walt Weiss's unconventional strategies of starting a pitcher with just 18 ⅓ innings pitched and bringing in his 200-strikeout ace to handle the crucial final outs proved to be successful tactics. Kerr, who had only recently returned to the Braves' roster after recovering from Tommy John surgery, delivered a stellar performance, facing the Phillies' lineup head-on and securing three crucial outs. Weiss praised Kerr's composure and veteran-like performance, stating that he looked like a 10-year veteran making his first playoff start. Once the game was secured, Sale came in to finish the ninth inning, showcasing his dominant pitching skills and further solidifying his place as one of the game's top arms. With this thrilling win, the Braves have set their sights on the National League Championship Series, facing the Los Angeles Dodgers.",
  "summary": "Two unconventional pitching strategies worked perfectly for Atlanta in Game 3.",
  "key_points": [
    "Chris Sale and Ray Kerr combine forces to win Game 3",
    "Ray Kerr makes playoff debut after Tommy John surgery",
    "Braves advance to NLDS after 6-2 victory over Phillies"
  ],
  "editors_take": "Manager Walt Weiss's unorthodox strategy of deploying inexperienced pitchers in high-pressure situations pays off, boosting Atlanta's chances in the National League Championship Series against the Los Angeles Dodgers.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}