The Philadelphia Phillies are getting a bit big-brained for their NLDS series against the New York Mets.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson revealed to reporters on Friday that the team is pulling an interesting move with their rotation. Zack Wheeler will be drawing the start in Game 1 (which was expected). But Cristopher Sánchez will be getting the nod in Game 2 instead of Aaron Nola.
Thomson cited Sanchez’s home-road splits this season (2.21 ERA at home and 5.02 ERA on the road) as well as the hostile environment at Citi Field for Game 3, per Bob Nightengale of USA Today.
At first glance, you would expect the former All-MLB pitcher Nola to draw the Game 2 start. Nola is a 10-year veteran who has gotten the call for many deep playoff runs in his career, including making multiple starts in the 2022 World Series.
But the Phillies will instead trust the numbers with Sánchez and give him the ball in Game 2. The lefty Sánchez was a first-time All-Star in 2024 and appears to be up for a task. He was 11-9 in the regular season with a 3.32 ERA and 153 strikeouts, proving to be a difference-maker for a Phillies team that endured some rotation turmoil this year.
