Phillies' Sánchez becomes dad ahead of Game 2 NLDS start

PHILADELPHIA -- Cristopher Sánchez has a new job ahead of his playoff start for the Philadelphia Phillies: dad.

Sánchez and his wife welcomed a baby boy days ahead of the All-Star pitcher's start in Game 2 of the NL Division Series against New York on Sunday.

Sánchez, 27, earned his first All-Star berth on the strength of his regular-season performance, finishing at 11-9 with a 3.32 ERA and his first career shutout.

The birth of his first son -- "BABY CRIS," he wrote on Instagram -- well, that trumped all his professional achievements.

"I think there's nothing that beats getting home to my kid right now," Sánchez said Saturday through an interpreter. "I'm just spending time with him, holding him every five minutes. Just all around, being all over him. That's just something I can't describe right now."

Sánchez said his son was born Monday. He captioned a photo of the boy, named Cristopher, with: "Our dream baby is here. Mommy and Daddy love you so much."

Sánchez got the nod over playoff-tested veteran Aaron Nola for Sunday's start at Citizens Bank Park on the strength of his road vs. home splits. Sánchez went 7-3 with a 2.21 ERA in 17 starts at home. He went 4-6 with a 5.02 ERA in 14 road starts.

Nola starts Game 3 in New York.

Sánchez started just one game in the 2023 playoffs, throwing 38 pitches over 2⅓ innings in a Game 4 loss to the Arizona Diamondbacks in the NL Championship Series.

His improvement this season was rewarded in June. The Phillies signed Sánchez to a $22.5 million, four-year contract extension through the 2028 season.

"It's really amazing the steps that he's taken, the growth that he's had, not only physically, but mentally and emotionally," Phillies manager Rob Thomson said. "The slider he's landing. Gone deep in the games. Held his composure. Has had some innings where he could have fallen apart, which he's done in the past, and just kept fighting through it, maintaining his composure and poise. He's just grown leaps and bounds."

In a season full of firsts, Sánchez can't wait for his first start as a father.

"It was the best time possible. It all happened in perfect timing. I was able to go to the hospital and meet my kid, my wife, and just spend two days with them at the hospital," he said. "All normal to me. The next day I just came here, did my throwing program, had a bullpen session, and it's all been just regular for me, luckily."