PHILADELPHIA — There has been one constant in the last two postseasons, which have featured 30 Phillies games across seven series: Whenever they’ve had the choice, the Phillies have selected Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola to start the first two games. This has never been subject to debate; the only time someone else pitched a Game 1 or 2 was Ranger Suárez in both National League Division Series openers against Atlanta (2022, ’23), when neither Wheeler nor Nola was available.
The Phillies had a choice to begin this October, and they’ve opted for 27-year-old lefty Cristopher Sánchez over Nola in Game 2 at Citizens Bank Park. Nola, instead, will pitch Game 3 at Citi Field. Manager Rob Thomson made the announcement Friday afternoon before the Phillies had a workout while the New York Mets, who had played eight games in the last seven days, rested.
It’s a twist the Phillies have contemplated for weeks. Thomson had tested it with his coaches, then some players in late September. Nola is one of the steadiest, most trusted people in the clubhouse. Thomson had to be sure there wasn’t blowback for a decision rooted in strong reasoning but one that upsets the ordained rotation.
Sánchez has better numbers at home — a 2.21 ERA — than he does on the road (5.02). That mattered. But so did the schedule. The Phillies, by putting Sánchez in Game 2, can separate their righty and lefty starters. The Mets have hit lefties in 2024.
But, by having Sánchez in Game 2 and Suárez in Game 4, the Phillies can apply aggressive tactics. There is an off day after each of those games. If the Phillies can expect decent length from Wheeler and Nola, they can lean on their hard-throwing bullpen if either Sánchez or Suárez struggles (or both do). Even if they pitch well, Thomson can have a quicker hook and not feel as though he’s endangering his relievers.
It’s been a storybook season for Sánchez, who reached 181 2/3 innings of a 3.32 ERA. He signed a four-year, $22.5 million contract in late June. A few days later, the lanky lefty won National League pitcher of the month. He maintained his strength and even added juice to his fastball in September. Earlier this week, Sánchez’s wife delivered the couple’s first child.
They named him Cristopher Jr.
(Photo of Cristopher Sánchez: Rich von Biberstein / Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
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