Phillies manager Rob Thomson named Cristopher Sanchez his team's Game 4 starter earlier tonight after the Diamondbacks claimed a walk-off win in Game 3 of the NLCS.
Sanchez then spoke to reporters after the news broke. It's safe to say he sounds and looks ready to go for his start tomorrow night. "I'll be ready tomorrow," Sanchez said -- and added a wink and a smirk at the end.
The young lefty has not started a game since September 24, and has not appeared in one since September 30. Both he and veteran Taijuan Walker have been throwing on the side as the Phillies have made their run without needing either to take the mound.
Phillies manager spoke Thursday night on his confidence in Sanchez despite the long layoff:
"He's been throwing the ball very well," Thomson said. "I think there's a lot of right hands in that lineup, but I have a lot of confidence in him. I don't know how far we'll be able to go with him, but he's been pitching very well and throwing strikes and I have a lot of confidence in him."
The 26-year-old finished the 2023 regular season with a 3.44 ERA, 6.0 K/BB ratio and 1.047 WHIP. His performance from mid-June to the end of the season was significant for a Phillies pitching staff that struggled to find a solid fifth starter before his arrival.
WIP personalities appear to be on board with Thomson's decision:
The Diamondbacks, meanwhile, will counter with a bullpen game. Lefty Joe Mantiply will 'start' the contest as Arizona looks to claw back and even the series at 2-2.
Game 4 of the NLCS is set for tomorrow night at 8 p.m. eastern. As always it can be heard here on 94WIP.