CLEARWATER, Fla. — The matchup is set for Opening Day.
Left-hander Cristopher Sánchez, a rising star over the past few seasons, will make the first Opening Day start of his career when the Phillies take on the Texas Rangers next Thursday afternoon at Citizens Bank Park, as announced by Major League Baseball on Friday. He’ll face right-hander Nathan Eovaldi in the interleague contest at 4:15 p.m.
With Zack Wheeler sidelined as he recovers from surgery to correct the thoracic outlet syndrome he was diagnosed with last season, Sánchez took on the role of Philadelphia’s ace and started Game 1 of the 2025 National League Division Series.