Phillies Cristopher Sanchez shows he has come a long way with a complete-game victory
He was also trying to establish himself, at both levels, as a starting pitcher, one who has now not only has shown an affinity for pitching for length, but pitching as effectively as anyone in baseball.
The 28-yeaer-old Sanchez showed his stuff again Tuesday night, pitching a complete game, 4-1 victory over the Boston Red Sox. In the course of a 106-pitch gem, he allowed a fourth-inning home run to Rob Refsnyder and also struck out 12 batters and induced 13 ground ball outs.
While only becoming a regular starter late in the 2023 season, Sanchez wiped away his early career inconsistency and became an All-Star last season, and probably should have been one this season. He is 9-2 with a 2.40 ERA, has gone six innings or more over his last nine consecutive outings.
'That just tells me that the work we've been doing since the offseason is working,' Sanchez said of his consistency. 'And that's something I take a lot of pride in.'
With a vulnerable bullpen and usual second-starter Aaron Nola suffering a bad season start before going down with an injury, Sanchez's growth is something the Phillies desperately needed. He has responded with a cool demeanor and an arsenal that includes a high-90s fastball often tempered with a killer change-up.
'He has electric stuff,' Bryce Harper said of Sanchez after the Phillies improved to 58-43. 'He's done a great job for us. Just throws strikes. He's kind of evolved into an ace for us.'
Sanchez also has an understanding with manager Rob Thomson ... he isn't usually a pitcher who asks to come out of a game. Hence, when Sanchez kicked into an unusual celebration after striking out Refsnyder for the second time in the game to end the eighth inning, it turned out this show still had an inning to go.
'No, I always wait for the manager to tell me I'm done,' Sanchez said. 'I wait for him to come to me.'
Thomson went to his second ace starter after the eighth, 'just to see if he was OK.
'He said, 'No, I'm not tired, I'd tell you if I was tired,'' Thomson said. 'So we sent him back out.'
It took only 10 pitches in the ninth for Sanchez to finish out his third career complete game. With it will come yet more recognition that this guy is on the list of potential National League Cy Young Award candidates.
That's a long way from the hopeful pitcher splitting time between the minors and majors just a few seasons ago.
'That was very hard, but I never gave up,' Sanchez said. 'I was staying strong, both mentally and physically, and I was always ready for the opportunity whenever it came.'
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There are plenty of other options, though, from Laureano to Cedric Mullins to Luis Robert Jr. They're willing to move players around, so I don't think they'd have any hesitation to move a center fielder to left, and Robert possesses the type of upside that could entice Preller. Texas Rangers (53-50, 3rd in AL West) Biggest Need: Another bat…anywhere Possible Target: Josh Naylor, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks The Rangers are still on the outside of the playoff picture, 1.5 games back in the wild-card race. But after winning eight of their last 10 games, and with a pitching staff that has by far the lowest ERA in the majors, it seems more likely they'd be buyers or stand pat than sell. It's no mystery that the offense could use a boost just about anywhere. The Rangers rank in the bottom 10 in RBI at both first base and DH, and Naylor could help drive in runs at either spot. Tampa Bay Rays (53-50, 4th in AL East) Biggest Need: Relief pitching? Outfield? Possible Target: Dennis Santana, RP, Pittsburgh Pirates Like the Rangers, the Rays are also 53-50 and 1.5 games back of a wild-card spot. Unlike the Rangers, they're trending the wrong direction, having lost 12 of 18 games in July. The Rays, who acquired reliever Bryan Baker from the Orioles earlier this month, could really go any direction at this point. It's possible they do a little buying and a little selling. If they do the former, it wouldn't be a surprise to see them either scour the outfield market or continue to bolster the bullpen. Right-handed hitters are batting .262 against the Tampa Bay bullpen this year, which is the fifth-highest mark in MLB. Rowan Kavner is an MLB writer for FOX Sports. He previously covered the L.A. Dodgers, LA Clippers and Dallas Cowboys. An LSU grad, Rowan was born in California, grew up in Texas, then moved back to the West Coast in 2014. 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Newsweek
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Pirates Starter Tagged As Best Available By MLB Insider As Deadline Nears
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. The Pittsburgh Pirates continue to underperform despite having the best pitcher in the league, Paul Skenes, on their roster, which has kept them in the cellar of the National League Central. With the deadline approaching, the Pirates have the best right-handed starter on the market, and it's not Skenes but rather his teammate Mitch Keller, according to Mark Feinsand. PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 22: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on July 22, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. PITTSBURGH, PA - JULY 22: Mitch Keller #23 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches in the first inning against the Detroit Tigers during inter-league play at PNC Park on July 22, 2025 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images Keller has been a solid arm for the Pirates with 15 quality starts in 21 starts this season, and yet he is 4-10 entering Thursday. The right-hander has a 3.53 ERA for the Pirates and is going to be a sought-after pitcher on the market for teams looking for a controllable arm this season. Keller won't be a free agent until 2029 and will come with a price tag that can help the Pirates for the future as they try to build around Skenes and Oneil Cruz. With the trade deadline next week, the Pirates are expected to be active as they are out of the playoff mix and are looking forward to next season and beyond. Keller could be a piece that moves to bring in the future, but has also served as a good pairing to Skenes in the Pittsburgh rotation. Keller could net MLB-ready hitting as they look to build, and with top pitching prospect Bubba Chandler waiting to make his way to PNC Park, the Pirates will almost certainly be fine with moving the starter. Keller has shown promise at the major league level, and it begs the question of how big of jump he will make with a competitive team to surround him. More MLB: Royals Reportedly Willing To Trade, Looking To Compete Next Year
