Sale Records 100 MPH Strikeout as 2026 MLB Wild-Card Series Opens in Atlanta

The 2026 MLB wild-card round began with Chris Sale striking out Bryce Harper using a 100 MPH fastball during the Philadelphia Phillies' visit to Atlanta.

Atlanta Braves starter Chris Sale struck out Bryce Harper with a 100 MPH fastball during the opening game of the 2026 MLB wild-card series on September 29. The Philadelphia Phillies, who secured their postseason berth on the final day of the regular season, struck first in the contest against their NL East rivals at Atlanta. Left-hander Jesus Luzardo took the mound for Philadelphia to face Sale in the 2 p.m. ET matchup.

According to ESPN, the American League schedule features the Chicago White Sox visiting the Houston Astros at 5 p.m. ET. Hagen Smith is the scheduled starter for the White Sox against Houston’s AJ Blubaugh. The Astros' lineup includes Jeremy Peña leading off, followed by Yordan Alvarez at designated hitter and Isaac Paredes at third base. The White Sox counter with a lineup featuring Sam Antonacci, Kyle Teel, and Miguel Vargas in the top three spots.

Evening matchups for Day 1 include a rivalry game between the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees at 8 p.m. ET, followed by the Chicago Cubs against the San Diego Padres at 10 p.m. ET. Payton Tolle is slated to start for Boston against New York’s Cam Schlittler. The late-night National League game features a pitching matchup between Matthew Boyd for the Cubs and Michael King for the Padres.