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Phillies Reveal Game 2 Starter for NLDS vs. Mets

Cristopher Sanchez will be the Phillies' starting pitcher for Game 2 of the NLDS.

By Jovan Alford

Aug 21, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (59) in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Truist Park.
Aug 21, 2024; Atlanta, Georgia, USA; Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson (59) in the dugout against the Atlanta Braves in the sixth inning at Truist Park. / Brett Davis-Imagn Images
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The Philadelphia Phillies will open up postseason play on Saturday afternoon as they will square off the New York Mets in Game 1 of the NLDS. The Phillies, who finished in the second-best record in the National League, had a bye, along with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Meanwhile, the Mets won Game 3 of the NL Wild Card against the Milwaukee Brewers in a thriller on Thursday night. The Phillies won the season series (7-6) against the Mets, but that goes out the window in the playoffs.

Heading into the postseason, many Phillies fans wondered what manager Rob Thomson would do for Game 2 of the NLDS. Zack Wheeler will get the ball for the Phillies in Game 1 on Saturday, who will be opposed by Kodai Senga for the Mets.

However, for the all-important Game 2 on Sunday afternoon, Thomson can go with Aaron Nola or Cristopher Sanchez. On Friday, Thomson told reporters Sanchez will be the starter for Game 2, per Jeff Kerr of CBS Sports.

With Sanchez starting on Sunday, Nola will start Game 3 at Citi Field. The 27-year-old southpaw took his game to another level this season as he solidified himself as an All-Star.

In the regular season, Sanchez had an 11-9 record and a 3.32 ERA in 31 starts. He also posted a career-high 153 strikeouts in 181.2 innings pitched. The left-handed starter kept the ball inside the park this season, allowing 11 home runs – a notable decrease from 2023 (16).

This season against the Mets, Sanchez has a 3.06 ERA and holding New York to a .242 batting average at the plate in three starts. Thomson hopes that trend continues for Sanchez, who has pitched well at home this season, which likely played a part in pitching him for Game 2.

The All-Star pitcher had a 7-3 record and 2.21 ERA at Citizens Bank Park (17 starts). However, Sanchez’s numbers went up drastically on the road as he had a 4-6 record and a 5.02 ERA (14 starts).

The Phillies hope Wheeler and Sanchez can handle business this weekend before the series switches to New York for Games 3 and 4.

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