Sep 25, 2024; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (61) throws a pitch against the Chicago Cubs in the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Ross-Imagn Images
The decision has finally been made: Cristopher Sanchez will start Game 2 of the NLDS for the Phillies while Aaron Nola will start Game 3.
The Phillies did this for a few reasons.
1. To split up the lefties.
2. To maximize their bullpen.
3. To protect Sanchez.
Let's identify why each are important.
Cristopher Sanchez was optioned to the minor leagues FIFTEEN TIMES between March 2020 and April 2023.
Never give up on your dreams. pic.twitter.com/VrERSxr1bO
The Mets are a right-handed heavy lineup. As a result, they tend to hit lefties well. They had a .769 OPS against lefties this season.
By alternating the pitchers, it forces the Mets to adjust from game-to-game and not have the luxury of locking in on a pair of lefties on consecutive nights.
Additionally, it allows for the Phillies to have both lefties pitch in a game that has an off day following it.
As a result, the Phillies can be more aggressive with how they manage both Sanchez and fellow lefty Ranger Suarez in Game 4. By that, it means they can get them out of trouble sooner.
Which gets us to...
The Phillies expect length out of both Zack Wheeler (Game 1) and Nola (Game 3) as such, they anticipate that they will have plenty of bullpen bullets to fire at the Mets in both Games 2 and 4 if they need to get either Sanchez or Suarez out of the game early.
Knowing the relievers are guaranteed a day's rest after each of those games means they can be maximized on their availability - both in innings they can throw and pitches they can throw - in both Games 2 and 4 - assuming all goes to plan in Games 1 and 3.
But most importantly is the third reason...
Sanchez was a revelation in 2023, he blossomed into an All Star in 2024. Part of that was his the work he put in mechanically to be a better pitcher, but part of it was also growth in his confidence.
"He's held his composure," sad manager Rob Thomson. "He's had some innings where he could have fallen apart - which he's done in the past - and he just kept fighting through it by maintaining his composure and poise. He's grown in leaps and bounds."
All true, but when you look at his home and road splits - which are volatile for pitchers and hitters from season to season - it's likely a reflection of being able to stay poised in front of a comfy home crowd and maybe not being so in control of his emotion in front of a raucous road crowd.
Sanchez had a 2.21 ERA at Citizens Bank Park this season. He had a 5.02 ERA on the road.
Maybe it wouldn't have been as big a deal if the Phillies were playing the Milwaukee Brewers in the NLDS, but once the Mets pulled off a miracle comeback ... well ...
Phillies manager Rob Thomson announces that Cristopher Sanchez will start Game 2 in Philadelphia for the Phillies in part because he expects Citi Field to be a "pretty hostile environment" pic.twitter.com/0gRezVWkEf
"You know, just playing the Mets and going into Citi Field, I think it's going to be a pretty hostile environment," Thomson said. "And looking at Sanchez's home/road splits, I thought it was the smartest thing to do."
Thomson wanted to make sure everyone was good with this decision before making it - and not just his fellow coaches and Phillies management, but in the clubhouse as well.
The level of trust Nola's teammates have in him is off the charts. He's one of the most trusted and respected players by his teammates in the clubhouse.
But the way it lines up, in the Phillies mind, this makes the most sense. Nola basically told reporters on Tuesday that he didn't care which game he pitched. He just wants to win.
And Thomson knows Nola won't be rattled by the vitriolic atmosphere that will be waiting for the Phillies at Citi Field in New York next Tuesday.
"Knowing Aaron Nola, you probably won't see any different excitement out of him pitching Game 1, Game 2, Game 3, or a spring training game," Thomson said. "He's calm. He's poised. He doesn't show much emotion, but I'm sure he's just excited to pitch in the playoffs."
