PHILADELPHIA – Last fall, the Philadelphia Phillies waited until after Game 3 of the National League Championship Series (NLCS) to reveal that Cristopher Sánchez would be their starter for Game 4 in Arizona. The uncertainty lingered, as there was speculation about whether Sánchez or Taijuan Walker would get the nod.
This year, however, there will be no such delay or doubt regarding Sánchez’s postseason role. It’s already established that Sánchez will be pitching in October, and the only remaining questions are about when he will take the mound and how many times he will appear. Sánchez showcased his remarkable skills once again in a thrilling 2-1 walk-off victory over the Mets at Citizens Bank Park on Sunday afternoon.
With two outs, J.T. Realmuto delivered a decisive single to right-center field off Edwin Díaz, bringing Nick Castellanos home from second base to secure the win. This victory reduced the Phillies’ magic number for clinching the NL East to six with 13 games remaining, and by Sunday night, it was further reduced to five following the Braves’ loss to the Dodgers.
In the post-game reflections, Sánchez expressed his readiness to seize any opportunity presented to him, whether as a starter or a reliever. “Every chance I get, I’ll be prepared to give it my all,” Sánchez said through the team’s interpreter. “It doesn’t matter what role they assign me. I’ll focus on our ultimate goal, which is winning the World Series.”
Sánchez delivered another stellar performance on Sunday, pitching seven-plus innings while allowing just six hits and one run, walking one batter and striking out seven. His only lapse came in the eighth inning when Tyrone Taylor connected on a 2-2 slider, hitting a solo home run to left-center that temporarily gave the Mets a 1-0 lead.
Realmuto was particularly impressed with Sánchez’s overall performance. “He did everything well,” Realmuto noted. “He was aggressive in the strike zone, had great stuff, and located his pitches effectively. His ability to mix speeds and his effective use of the fastball, especially inside on right-handed hitters, really helped his changeup and slider perform even better.”
Sánchez’s performance this season has been consistently impressive. With a record of 10-9 and a 3.24 ERA across 29 starts, he has been a key player for the team. As of Sunday, Sánchez was tied with Cole Ragans of Kansas City for the fourth-highest fWAR among pitchers. His standout achievements include a shutout against the Marlins in June, earning NL Pitcher of the Month honors, and a four-year, $22.5 million contract extension. Additionally, Sánchez made his first NL All-Star team in July and pitched a complete game against the Nationals in August.
Despite the demanding schedule, Sánchez has shown no signs of fatigue. On the contrary, his performance appears to be improving. His sinker’s average velocity increased from 94.3 mph in his first 25 starts to 95.6 mph in his last three, maintaining a strong 94.8 mph on Sunday. Realmuto observed that Sánchez seems to get stronger as games progress, which is a notable trait.
Looking ahead to the postseason, Sánchez has made a compelling case for a prominent role. With a 1.99 ERA in his last six starts, his performance is among the best as the playoffs approach. His impressive home ERA of 2.05 in 16 starts this season stands in contrast to his 5.13 ERA in 13 road starts, which is an area he acknowledges needs improvement.
Manager Rob Thomson has yet to finalize the postseason rotation, but Sánchez’s progress and experience make him a strong candidate for a key role. A year ago, Sánchez was relatively inexperienced in high-stakes games, but now he is a dependable pitcher whom Phillies fans trust for crucial moments.
Sánchez himself recognizes the value of experience, saying, “Having been in the postseason for two years, I feel more prepared for the next opportunity.”