May 5, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez (61) in action against the Athletics during the first inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images
The Philadelphia Phillies will rely on ace Cristopher Sanchez on Sunday as they attempt to clinch the series against the visiting Colorado Rockies. After dropping Friday’s opener 9-7 in 11 innings, Philadelphia bounced back with a commanding 9-3 win on Saturday to set up the decisive rubber match.
Sanchez (3-2, 2.42 ERA) enters the contest fresh off his best outing of the season. On May 5, he struck out 10 over eight scoreless innings in a 9-1 victory over the Athletics at home, allowing just three singles and one walk while keeping the Oakland lineup off balance throughout.
The left-hander credited his dominant performance to a relentless pursuit of improvement. “I’m always working on my pitches, I’m always working on my mechanics,” Sanchez said through an interpreter. “I like to chase perfection.”
The 29-year-old recently secured his long-term future with Philadelphia, signing a six-year, $107 million extension on March 24. In five career appearances against the Rockies, he is 1-0 with a 3.00 ERA.
Philadelphia interim manager Don Mattingly praised Sanchez’s recent showing, adding, “I’ve seen him throw the ball good all year long — it’s just some of the results haven’t been as good.” Mattingly drew a parallel to the team’s turnaround after an 0-19 start: “Nothing seemed to be going our way early and now we’ve got it going in a direction that we like.”
Phillies star Bryce Harper exited Saturday’s game in the middle of the first inning due to a migraine, but Mattingly indicated the two-time MVP could return for Sunday’s matchup.
For Colorado, a victory on Sunday would help halt their own early-season slide. The Rockies have not won a series since sweeping the Mets in New York from April 24-26, losing eight of their last 11 games against the Reds, Braves, Mets (in Denver), and Phillies.
Right-hander Tomoyuki Sugano (3-2, 3.41 ERA) will start for Colorado. He took the loss in his last outing against the Mets on May 4, despite carrying a no-hitter into the sixth inning before allowing four runs in a 4-2 defeat.
Rockies manager Warren Schaeffer expressed confidence in Sugano, noting the pitcher’s ability to “put the ball where he wants to” and “mix well.” Schaeffer said the 36-year-old is exactly the pitcher Colorado expected when they signed him to a one-year deal in February. “The big arsenal that he has is something we desired in the offseason,” Schaeffer added. “He uses it extremely well. He attacks
