PHILADELPHIA -- It already has been a big week for Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez. But it is about to get even bigger. The 27-year-old left-hander will be tasked with helping to draw the Phillies even with the New York Mets when he starts Game 2 of the teams' best-of-five National League Division Series on Sunday afternoon in Philadelphia.
Game 1 went to the Mets, 6-2. Sanchez's outing also happens to come six days after he became a father for the first time, when his wife, Kaimary, gave birth to their son, also named Cristopher. "It's just all been really special," Sanchez said.
"I think there's nothing that beats getting home to my kid now." Sanchez was given the nod in Game 2 because he pitched to a 2.21 ERA in 17 home starts this season, compared with a 5.
02 ERA in 14 road outings. "It's something I just can't explain," he said. "I just feel really comfortable here.
The fans give me that ability to be comfortable here." Sanchez (11-9, 3.32 ERA) was a first-time All-Star this season.
He has faced the Mets twice in recent weeks, going five innings to beat them 12-2 on Sept. 20 -- a game in which he allowed two runs on three hits and a season-high five walks -- and pitching to a no-decision on Sept. 15 despite going seven innings and allowing one run on six hits as the Phillies won 2-1.
In his career, Sanchez is 2-2 with a 3.62 ERA in nine appearances (six starts) against the Mets. He will oppose Luis Severino (11-7, 3.
91 ERA) on Sunday. Severino, in his fi.