Cristopher Sanchez Named NL Cy Young Finalist
The Phillies lefty is among three finalists for the National League's top pitching honor, with the winner set to be announced November 11.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Baseball
Philadelphia Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez was named a finalist for the NL Cy Young Award. Sanchez went 18-7 across 33 starts last season, leading Major League Baseball with 18 wins and a 8.1 WAR.
Why it matters
It is the second consecutive year a Phillies starter has been nominated for the award. A Phillies pitcher has not won the NL Cy Young since Roy Halladay in 2010, so a win by Sanchez would end that drought.
Sanchez posted an 18-7 record across 33 starts with a 2.91 ERA and 231 strikeouts last season. His 8.1 WAR and 18 wins both led Major League Baseball.
The players
Cristopher Sanchez
Sanchez is a left-handed starting pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies who led Major League Baseball in wins and WAR last season.
Jacob Misiorowski
Misiorowski is a pitcher who is among the competitors for the 2026 National League Cy Young Award.
Chris Sale
Sale is a veteran starting pitcher who is among the competitors for the 2026 National League Cy Young Award.
The details
Sanchez was named one of the finalists for the 2026 NL Cy Young Award by award voters following the close of the MLB season. Competitors for the award include Jacob Misiorowski and Chris Sale.
Timeline
The 2025 season saw Sanchez post his 18-7 record, 2.91 ERA, and 8.1 WAR.
Roy Halladay was the last Phillies pitcher to win the NL Cy Young Award in 2010.
The NL Cy Young Award winner will be announced on November 11, 2026.
Season Trajectory
Sanchez's finalist status continues a Phillies run of starters earning Cy Young consideration, and a win would end a drought dating to Roy Halladay's 2010 award. The honor would place Sanchez alongside Halladay as the only Phillies pitchers to win the NL Cy Young in recent decades.
The award will be decided on November 11, so fantasy and sportsbook players tracking Sanchez's standing have a fixed date to watch. His 18 wins and 231 strikeouts are the figures voters weighed against Misiorowski and Sale.
The takeaway
Sanchez's finalist nomination reflects a dominant season by a Phillies starter, and the November 11 announcement will show whether that performance earns the franchise its first NL Cy Young since 2010.
What happens next
The NL Cy Young Award winner will be announced on November 11, 2026.
Further reading
Explore more Baseball coverage for context on pitching awards and season leaders.
