The Philadelphia Phillies are going the expected route with their Game 2 starter.
Phillies manager Rob Thomson announced Friday that it will indeed be Cristopher Sánchez taking the ball in Game 2 Sunday after strongly hinting at it earlier this week. Aaron Nola will start in Game 3.
“You know, just looking at playing the Mets … going into Citi Field … I think it’s going to be a pretty hostile environment,” Thomson said. “And looking at Sanchy’s home and road splits, I just thought it was really the smartest thing to do.”
Much has been made about the difference in Sánchez’s success at home (2.21 ERA in 17 starts) vs. the road (5.02 ERA in 14 starts) this season. With that knowledge, it makes sense to start Sánchez in Game 2 at Citizens Bank Park, as opposed to Game 3 at Citi Field.
With all due respect to Aaron Nola, Sánchez was also probably the second best pitcher for the Phillies during the regular season. A first-time All-Star, Sánchez posted a 3.32 ERA and 3.00 FIP across 181 2/3 innings, with two complete games and a 4.7 WAR, a mark that FanGraphs says that only five pitchers in the sport topped.
Nola — who has a 3.70 ERA across nine prior postseason starts — will get the ball for Game 3 at Citi Field. Thomson likes Nola’s experience in Game 3 as the Phillies head into what’s sure to be a raucous crowd in Flushing.
Zack Wheeler will be the Game 1 starter on Saturday.
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