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Cristopher Sánchez Wins NL Player of the Week as Scoreless Streak Reaches 20 2/3

An untouchable changeup with aggressive first strikes drives the Phillies ace’s surge.

Overview

  • Sánchez extended his single-season scoreless run to 20 2/3 innings after Sunday’s seven shutout frames against the Rockies with seven strikeouts and no walks.
  • MLB named him National League Player of the Week for a stretch that featured 15 scoreless innings against the Braves and Rockies with 17 strikeouts and one walk.
  • His changeup anchors the dominance, with opponents batting .152 against it and tracking data rating it among the most valuable pitches in the sport.
  • The sinker has been more hittable this year, yet in his last two starts hitters produced only singles off it, which eliminated extra-base damage.
  • Despite many balls finding grass and a high batting average on balls in play (BABIP), he sits near the NL lead in WAR, ERA, innings, and strikeouts, helped by frequent first-pitch strikes that put hitters behind.