High and low: Sánchez's gem, Abel's struggles mark Phils' DH split

PHILADELPHIA -- The Phillies’ rotation has not only been the best in baseball this year, but it’s also on pace to be one of the best in franchise history and maybe even baseball history.

It depends how you value WAR.

The Phils’ rotation entered Wednesday’s doubleheader against San Diego at Citizens Bank Park on pace for an MLB-best 21.7 WAR, according to FanGraphs. If it reaches that mark, it will tie the 1999 Astros for the 32nd-best rotation ever. But it could finish even higher with the way Zack Wheeler, Ranger Suárez, Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo are pitching lately.

Sánchez allowed one run in seven innings in a 5-1 victory in Game 2. He is 7-2 with a 2.68 ERA this season, including a 1.76 ERA (eight earned runs in 41 innings) in his last six starts. He fits right in with Wheeler (0.58 ERA in June) and Suárez (1.30 ERA in June), who are NL Pitcher of the Month candidates, and Luzardo, who has a 2.78 ERA in his past four starts.

“He’s been just like the rest of them really,” Phillies manager Rob Thomson said about Sánchez. “Just wonderful.”

The Phillies should have at least one starter from their rotation make the NL All-Star team, but they could have more.

Wheeler, Suárez and Sánchez made it last year.

“The entire rotation, in theory,” Thomson said about All-Star candidates.

“I dream of being an All-Star every single year,” Sánchez said via an interpreter.

But nothing is perfect, and changes could be coming. Phillies rookie Mick Abel lasted only 1 2/3 innings in a 6-4 loss to the Padres in Game 1. He allowed two hits, five runs and five walks. He walked four in the second inning.

“It’s really frustrating,” said Abel, who struck out the game’s first two batters. “I thought I had everything in control today and it just kind of slipped.”

Abel is 2-2 with a 5.04 ERA in six starts, but he has an 8.56 ERA in his last four. The first two starts of his career -- 0.79 ERA in 11 1/3 innings -- were so good that he had people not only wondering how he might fit into the Phillies’ future plans, but also how he might help the Phillies acquire talent before the July 31 Trade Deadline.

In 13 2/3 innings in his last four starts, Abel has allowed 17 hits, 13 runs, nine walks and seven home runs. He has struck out 10 batters.

“We haven’t talked about it,” Thomson said about how he views Abel’s rotation spot moving forward. “But, you know, I haven’t talked to Mick, either. So, I’m not sure how he’s feeling. I’m sure he’s disappointed with the start. But we’ll talk about it.”

Abel is in the rotation because Aaron Nola is on the 60-day injured list with an injured back. He is weeks away from rejoining the rotation, although he is expected to throw a bullpen session this weekend.

Phillies No. 1 prospect Andrew Painter is scheduled to start Thursday with Triple-A Lehigh Valley. The organization has said that Painter will not join the team before the All-Star break. The Phillies said they want him to rest during the break -- he will not pitch in the July 12 Futures Game in Atlanta -- following his first regular work following Tommy John surgery in 2023.

They said if he joins the Phillies’ rotation, it will happen after the break.

Thomson said Wednesday the organization remains committed to that timetable.

Is there any flexibility there?

“I don’t think so, no,” Thomson said.

If Abel remains in the rotation, he will start again on Monday or Tuesday in San Francisco. It will be the final time the Phillies need a fifth starter before the break. San Francisco would not be the worst spot for him, considering Oracle Park is a pitcher-friendly ballpark and the Giants rank 23rd in baseball averaging 4.10 runs per game.

But he will have to throw more strikes. Abel walked four batters in the second inning, including two with the bases loaded. He became the first Phillies starter to walk consecutive batters with the bases loaded since Tyler Green in Game 1 of a Sept. 27, 1998, doubleheader.

“Obviously, my command got away from me,” Abel said. “I started to try to do a little too much. I got into some leverage counts and was trying too hard to make the pitches, if that makes sense. And just not naturally letting it happen. I have all the confidence in the world that I could make the pitches, but sometimes trying too hard just doesn’t work in your favor.”