Cristopher Sánchez is scheduled to start for the Phillies against the Cubs at Wrigley Field. The Phillies will be pinning their hopes on Sánchez to end an eight-game losing skid. First pitch is scheduled for 2:20 p.m. ET.
Sánchez’s Impressive Start
Sánchez believes he “can be better” than he’s pitched so far in 2026. He currently owns the fifth-best ERA among qualified MLB starters. The Phillies signed him to a six-year, $107 million extension last month.
It will mark Sánchez’s sixth start this season. He has produced a 1.59 ERA despite facing more traffic on the basepaths than usual. Sánchez’s WHIP currently sits at 1.412, a rise from 1.064 he posted last year when he finished second in NL Cy Young Award voting.
A Repeat Performance Against Chicago?
Sánchez is just over a week removed from holding this same Cubs lineup to two earned runs in six innings. He allowed six hits and three walks. The outing was the second of his three quality starts in five outings this season.
He took the loss in his latest start, a 3-1 defeat in Atlanta. Several Phillies miscues left him on the hook for three unearned runs.
Phillies’ Pitching Woes
The 29-year-old left-hander will be counted on to reverse the Phillies’ fortunes. They are currently riding their longest losing streak since Sept. 20-28, 2018. The length he’s provided this season is much needed for a rotation that’s struggled to provide long starts over this skid.
Neither Aaron Nola nor Jesús Luzardo were able to make it out of the fifth inning. The Phillies put an opener on the mound ahead of Taijuan Walker. He lasted just four frames.
- Since April 14, Philadelphia’s starting pitchers have provided just 33 1/3 innings.
- Only five clubs have gotten less length from their rotation during that span.
Sánchez has pitched into the sixth in all but one of his starts this season.