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Cristopher Sanchez Deserves His Moment, and it’s Coming on Saturday
By Luke Arcaini
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If I told you at the beginning of the season that Zack Wheeler wouldn’t pitch a single playoff game, would you you think the Phillies had any shot of making a run at their first title since 2008?
I think your answer is no. Maybe it was yes, and if it was, good for you. But if you look around the league, and you take the ace off of every pitching staff remaining, I don’t think any of those teams could win the World Series.
The Phillies still can.
Cristopher Sanchez has put the league on notice. If his 2024 campaign of a 3.32 ERA in 181.2 innings wasn’t enough, he’s emerged as a true superstar pitcher across Major League Baseball in 2025. He’d be the #1 ace on a lot of teams. Right now, he’s the ace of the Phillies. Usually? He’s the Phillies’ #2.
Sanchez has some of the best composure I’ve ever seen from a starting pitcher. The moment is never too big. He never gets too high, and he never gets too low. He shows emotion when it’s warranted, or he feels it, but he’s calm, cool, and collected 24/7 on the pitchers mound.
He dazzled in 2025. He finished the regular season with a 13-5 record with an 8.0 WAR. He’s top 10 in all of baseball, including position players, in fWAR. He tallied a 1.06 WHIP in 202 innings with a 2.50 ERA, striking out 212 batters while walking just 44.
The 28-year-old, who is one of the best bargains in baseball based off of his contract, will start Game 1 of the NLDS at Citizens Bank Park on Saturday, October 4th. If the Dodgers win the NLWCS in two games, he’ll go up against Shohei Ohtani in that matchup.
“It goes back a few years now. His stuff, one. His development of the changeup. His command. The power. The poise. He’s just a complete pitcher,” said Rob Thomson. And that’s been an evolution over the last couple of years. When Wheels went down, we told everyone to be themselves, which is good enough, and they were, especially him.”
When Thomson walks out to the mound to change pitchers, it’s usually quick. There’s no long conversation. It’s a handshake, a pat on the back, and that’s it.
Sunday was different. Thomson had an extended conversation with his ace. Bryce Harper gave Sanchez a hug before he walked to the dugout. The lefty walked off the mound to a standing ovation from 44,000 people. He tipped his cap, touched his heart, and walked down the steps to hugs and handshakes from the Phillies dugout:
“I told him that about 44,000 people think I’m an idiot right now for taking you out,” Thomson said to reporters postgame.
The Phillies are prioritizing health. Sanchez allowed just two hits in 5.2 innings before being pulled with a low pitch count. Thomson said pregame that he planned to purposely pull Sanchez mid-inning so he could have his deserved ovation to end the regular season.
From a spot-starter in the early years of his Phillies career, to a top three pitcher in the entire National League, it’s been one hell of a run for Sanchez, and it’s only getting started. He’s combined for an 11.4 WAR over the last two seasons. He’ll finish only behind Paul Skenes in the NL Cy Young race in 2025.
Saturday is the biggest start of Sanchez’s young career. But if one thing’s certain, the moment won’t faze him. It’ll only make him better.
Luke Arcaini writes about the Phillies for Crossing Broad, covers the Phillies for FOX Sports The Gambler, and co-hosts "Phillies Digest" on YouTube. The wave is the worst thing in all of sports. Contact: lukearcaini8@gmail.com