Phillies should feel good about World Series chances with Cristopher Sánchez as Game 1 starter

PHILADELPHIA – It’s hard to believe, but even without the irreplaceable Zack Wheeler, the Phillies should feel good about their chances to win the World Series with Cristopher Sánchez as the club’s Game 1 starter. 

The left-hander finished off a strong season in a 2-1 Philadelphia Phillies victory over the Minnesota Twins in 10 innings. He pitched 5 2/3 shutout innings in his final tune-up before the start of the postseason. 

That was the plan, according to manager Rob Thomson pregame. He wanted to give his prized lefty a nice send-off before Sánchez embarked on the most important stretch of baseball in his life. Thomson lingered on the mound for a little longer than he would during a typical pitching change. Every infielder gave him Sánchez a pat on the back before he departed. 

“I told him that about 44,000 people think I’m an idiot for taking you out right now,” Thomson joked. 

Sánchez held his hand on his heart as he saluted the crowd. 

“Pitching here at home,” Sánchez said via a team interpreter, “is one of the best things to happen to me in my career.” 

The Phillies this season went 13-2 in Sánchez’s starts at Citizens Bank Park. Home and road splits tend to be sticky for most pitchers year-over-year, but the numbers tell a different story for Sánchez. His 1.94 ERA at home in 2025 is more than a run lower than his 3.02 ERA away from Citizens Bank Park. 

The split is not nearly as drastic as it was last year, when Sánchez had a 5.02 ERA on the road and 2.21 ERA at home. Many wondered if Sánchez would be a viable option if he had to make a postseason start away from Philadelphia. 

That’s no longer part of the discussion, because Sánchez is a “No. 1,” as his manager said. He could pitch Game 1 of the National League Division Series and come back on normal rest for a Game 4 if necessary start in either Los Angeles or Cincinnati. 

“He’s pitching as good as anybody right now,” Thomson said. “He’s a No. 1, and I feel good about that.”

Sánchez on Sunday did not throw a pitch for the ball until the third inning. He reached a career-high 202 innings and struck out a career-high 212 batters. 

What is he most proud of when he reflects on this season? 

“I think it’s commanding the strike zone,” Sánchez said. “I think that was the most special thing I was able to do this year.” 

His 2.50 ERA isn’t low enough for him to win a Cy Young Ward, but it would not be surprising if he finished second behind Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes. 

More importantly, he stepped up for the Phillies when they really needed him. Wheeler, who underwent thoracic outlet surgery on Sept. 23, is expected to be around the club for the postseason run. In an ideal world, he would start a Game 1 for the Phillies. 

But the Phillies have another ace up their sleeve. 

“This was a really special season for him,” Trea Turner said. “We’re really lucky to have him because he saved us big time.”