Phillies starting Cristopher Sánchez over proven veteran in NLDS just makes sense
One of the biggest focal points in the grind of the postseason is the starting rotation. Quality starts become so crucial as every game builds in importance through a series.
With the NLDS just days away, either against the Milwaukee Brewers or New York Mets, how the Philadelphia Phillies plan on lining up their starting pitchers for the best-of-five series will be interesting. Obviously, the first start to open the NLDS on Saturday at Citizens Bank Park will go to ace and Cy Young contender Zack Wheeler. That’s a no-brainer for manager Rob Thomson. Heck, any of us could make that call.
After that, conventional wisdom says that the longest-tenured Phillie, experienced veteran Aaron Nola, will get the start for Game 2. However, there’s an argument to be made for starting Christoper Sánchez in Game 2 at home.
Phillies starting Cristopher Sánchez over Aaron Nola in NLDS just makes sense
Sánchez had a phenomenal breakout season, with a 3.32 ERA in by far his career high of 181 2/3 innings over 31 starts. Nola also had a solid season with a 3.57 ERA and has playoff experience. He has pitched in the Phillies’ last two playoff runs, with a combined 48 2/3 frames. In last year’s postseason, he went 3-1 with a 2.35 ERA and 0.96 WHIP.
Sánchez, by comparison, has thrown 2 1/3 postseason innings. But if you look at his home/road splits this season, giving the more inexperienced Sánchez the start at Citizens Bank Park, an environment that he has found more comfortable, makes sense. At least, that’s what the numbers say.
Sánchez made 17 of his 31 starts at home, posting a 2.21 ERA in 110 innings. Meanwhile, in 72 1/3 innings on the road he pitched to a 5.02 ERA. He had 8.10 K/9 and 1.39 BB/9 at The Bank, compared to 6.78 K/9 and 3.39 BB/9 when pitching as a visitor.
While at first the idea of not starting Nola in Game 2 seems a little far-fetched, there’s a chance that Thomson is considering the rotation shuffle, based on comments he made about the NLDS rotation during an online media availability on Wednesday, according to Tim Kelly of On Pattison.
“Well, I think it depends on the team we’re playing,” Thomson said about setting the rotation order, per Kelly. “I factor in the … I mean, talk around town is Sanchy’s home and road splits. So you gotta factor that in. He’s just so much better at home.”
Of course, that’s not all the Phillies’ skipper and his staff will consider, but it should be a factor in the decision. It just makes sense to have the 27-year-old Sánchez start in a place that has been good to him this season with the pressure of the playoffs already heaped on his shoulders.
We’ll just have to wait for the official announcement when the Phillies finally find out who their opponent will be.
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