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Left-hander Martín Pérez (9-9, 3.04) is on the injured list because of back inflammation and isn’t expected to be activated for the NLDS, but right-hander Bryce Elder (8-8, 4.11), who underwent knee surgery in early September, could be available, which would strengthen a rotation that’s missing four starters.
Fortunately, the Braves have a Cy Young candidate in Sale (14-9, 2.16 ERA). The left-hander gave Atlanta a solid 6-1/3 innings in the Game 1 win over Philadelphia in the wild-card series this week. Journeyman Tyler Mahle, who went 4-1 with a 1.99 ERA after coming over from the San Francisco Giants in August, gave up just a run in 6-2/3 strong innings in Game 2 in his postseason debut.
After that, however, Weiss will have to lean heavily on his bullpen, and fortunately he has a good one: Atlanta relievers were second in the league in ERA (3.44) and saves (49). Cuban closer Raisel Iglesias had 34 of those saves (in 37 opportunities), blowing just one chance since July 26.
Set-up man Robert Suárez missed more than three months because of elbow inflammation but made two appearances in the final week of the regular season to finish 4-0 with a 1.06 ERA in 33 games. Ahead of him, Didier Fuentes (7-2, 2.45), Dylan Lee (6-1, 3.09), Dylan Dodd (4-1, 2.54) and Brent Suter (2-0, 1.63 with the Braves) give Atlanta perhaps the deepest bullpen in the playoffs.