Cristopher Sánchez gem sets up dream matchup in WBC semifinals

Cristopher Sánchez redeemed himself in a big way on Friday night in Miami.

Pitching for Team Dominican Republic against Team Korea, Sánchez struck out eight over five shutout innings. The powerhouse Dominican lineup gave him plenty of run support, as the DR was up 7-0 through three innings. Team Dominican Republic won the game 10-0 in seven innings; Catcher Austin Wells secured the win on a three-run mercy rule walk-off home run.

The Phillies ace struggled in his World Baseball Classic debut against Nicaragua on March 6. He allowed six hits in two innings for the first time in his career in the abbreviated outing.

But Sánchez was given another chance on a big stage, and he lived up to his big game reputation. His efficient effort saved the Dominican Republic’s bullpen, which should be fresh for a big matchup against Team USA in the WBC semifinals on Sunday night.

The Phillies limited Sánchez to around 65 pitches on Friday night. His next outing will be with the Phillies in spring training, but he plans on remaining with Team Dominican Republic for the duration of the team’s run in the tournament.

 “I am not leaving, by the way,” Sánchez said in a press conference after the game. “I am staying here. Representing my country is great. Every time I have the opportunity to wear this uniform, I represent my country. I will do that all the time.”

He’ll be in the dugout on Sunday night opposite his Phillies teammates Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber and Brad Keller.

The U.S. on Friday night pulled off a narrow 5-3 win against their neighbors north of the border. Keller allowed two earned runs and Harper and Schwarber combined to go 1-for-9 with a single against Team Canada. Harper just missed a home run to center in his first at-bat. Canada had runners on second and third with nobody out in the bottom of the seventh down by two, but failed to drive in any runs against Yankees reliever David Bednar.

USA vs. the DR should be the matchup of the tournament. Team USA ace Paul Skenes will get the start against the potent Dominican Republic lineup that includes Fernando Tatis Jr., Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Juan Soto. Athletics starter Luis Severino gets the start against the United States.

To advance to the finals, the U.S. will need their All-Star lineup to take over the game. Among Team USA’s star players, Harper has struggled the most. He is batting .150 with a .377 OPS in five games.

One big hit, however, could change everything.