Rob Thomson names starting pitcher for NLDS Game 2 on Sunday

Rob Thomson spoke with the media today and officially named his starting pitcher for Game 2 of the NLDS on Sunday at Citizens Bank Park.

On Wednesday, Topper while not officially announcing the Philadelphia Phillies NLDS rotation, hinted that he could be switching Aaron Nola and Cristopher Sanchez in for Game 2 in a media session following the team’s intrasquad game at The Bank.

We now know that Thomson will be going with Cristopher Sánchez in Game 2 and Aaron Nola in Game 3 on the road at Citi Field.

Rob Thomson: Cristopher Sanchez will start Game 2 on Sunday

Rob Thomson says Sanchez will start Game 2

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Topper named a few factors influencing his Game 2 starting pitcher decision, with Sánchez’s home/road splits being the main talking point.

If you’ve been following the Phillies closely, you know Sánchez has been lights out at Citizens Bank Park. He’s posted a sparkling 2.21 ERA at home this season compared to a 5.02 ERA on the road. Given that, it makes a ton of sense to use Sánchez in Game 2 at home, where he’s clearly more comfortable, instead of saving him for a potential Game 3 on the road at Citi Field.

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Rob Thomson also mentioned how breaking up the righties and lefties in the rotation is part of the equation. It’s a smart move if the Phillies can throw a lefty in Sánchez between right-handers like Zack Wheeler and Aaron Nola. Plus, with Nola’s steady hand in any ballpark, he’s an ideal candidate for a Game 3 start on the road, where you know he’ll be calm and collected no matter the environment.

Philadelphia Phillies Postseason Rotation:

1. RHP Zack Wheeler (31 GS, 16-7, 2.56 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 213 K, 193.2 IP)
2. LHP Cristopher Sánchez (31 GS, 11-9, 3.32 ERA, 1.24 WHIP, 153 K, 181.2 IP)
3. RHP Aaron Nola (32 GS, 13-8, 3.52 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, 190 K, 194.1 IP)
4. LHP Ranger Suárez (26 GS, 12-7, 3.15 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, 143 K, 148.2 IP)

Sánchez is the guy. First pitch is set for 4:08 pm on Saturday for Game 1.

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