The Stuff of Nightmares

Watching Sixto Sanchez pitch against the Phillies is going to keep fans awake at night for a long, long time,

Sanchez was the centerpiece of the trade that brought JT Realmuto to Philadelphia last year. He was the best pitching prospect the team had seen since Cole Hamels. And today, the Phils faced him for the first time. It did not go well.

Sanchez was never in trouble and threw effortless 100-mph fastballs. The Marlins beat the Phils 2-1 in the first game of a douhbleheader, where the Phils managed just three hits. Sanchez only struck out four, but he didn't need to be overpowering. Sanchez got 10 groundball outs and the Phils hit into two double plays. 

And Realmuto, the prize the Phillies received for Sanchez and two others, didn't play because of an injured hip. He wasn't expected to play in the second game or on Monday, either. Realmuto will be the most sought-after free agent this off-season, and the Phils absolutely have to sign him. Imagine losing Realmuto to someone like the Mets and having to face Sanchez four times a year. It's the stuff of nightmares.

And speaking of nightmares, Kyle Garlick led off the sixth and was hit by a pitch. Ronald Torreyes was up next, which would have been a perfect spot for Didi Gregorius to pinch hit. Nope. Torreyes swung at the first pitch and grounded into a double play. Didi would pinch hit in the seventh and walk. He should have hit in the sixth.