Cristopher Sanchez and the Phillies aim to maintain their winning streak against the Cubs. and the Phillies aim to maintain their winning streak against the Cubs.
The Philadelphia Phillies have won five consecutive games started by Cristopher Sanchez and aim to extend that streak on Wednesday as they conclude their three-game home series against the Chicago Cubs. The Phillies faced some ups and downs in the first two games of the series. They secured a 6-2 victory over the Cubs on Monday, clinching the National League East title for the first time in 13 years. However, they struggled on Tuesday, suffering a 10-4 loss despite home runs from Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper. Schwarber stated, “You obviously want to go out there and keep winning,” emphasizing the need to move past the defeat and focus on the next four games. Currently, the Phillies (93-65) trail the Los Angeles Dodgers (93-64) by half a game in the race for the top seed in the National League playoffs. With four games remaining—one less than the Dodgers—they hold the tiebreaker advantage against Los Angeles.
Sanchez (11-9, 3.25 ERA) has been strong this month, boasting a 2-0 record with a 1.80 ERA in four starts. He allowed two runs in five innings against the New York Mets on Friday, though he also issued a career-high five walks. At home, he has a 2.05 ERA, compared to a 5.02 ERA on the road. One of his roughest outings came at Wrigley Field on July 4, when he surrendered seven runs in just over four innings during a 10-2 loss, which was his only career start against the Cubs.
The Cubs will start Javier Assad (7-5, 3.34 ERA), who allowed three runs in five innings against the Washington Nationals last Thursday. Assad’s home and away splits are similar to Sanchez’s, with a 2.47 ERA at home and 4.17 on the road. He is 1-0 with a 0.00 ERA in two career appearances (one start) against the Phillies. Manager Craig Counsell praised Assad’s performance this season, noting, “He’s handled the increased responsibility and kept earning it throughout the season.”
After out-hitting Philadelphia 15-7 in Tuesday’s win, the Cubs are riding a wave of momentum. Cody Bellinger went 3-for-5 with four RBIs, while Seiya Suzuki drove in two runs and Nico Hoerner had three hits. “All night we had runners on base,” Counsell said after their fourth win in six games. For the Phillies, Harper hit his 30th homer and recorded his second consecutive two-hit game. “It was good to see Harper swing the bat well,” said Phillies manager Rob Thomson. Left fielder Austin Hays, who missed over three weeks due to a kidney infection, returned to the lineup on Tuesday, going 1-for-4. Schwarber noted, “I feel like that guy’s going to be a big piece of what we’re doing down the stretch.” The Cubs may be without two key players on Wednesday, as Michael Busch was hit by a pitch and left the game early, while Suzuki sprained his ankle running the bases.
