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TUE · SEP 8, 2026
SEP 8
Today · 6:40 PM ETLineup pendingAL West / NL East

Houston Astros   vs   Philadelphia Phillies Preview

September 9, 2026

Starting pitchers, lineup status, recent form, weather and current moneyline context at Citizens Bank Park.

6:40 PM ET · Citizens Bank ParkStats availableLineups not confirmedLast update —
T-Score50
Houston Astros
73–71 · 1st AL West · T-Score 50
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First pitch 6:40 PM ET
Philadelphia Phillies
80–63 · 2nd NL East · T-Score 65
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T-Score65
First pitch 6:40 PM ETNo line available
No line availableLast update —

Matchup at a glance

PitcherStat calculation
CategoryComparisonWhy
Starting pitcherPhilliesPhiladelphia has the stronger starting-pitcher profile: Sánchez leads in P-Score, WHIP and FIP.
Offense vs handEvenThe handedness splits are nearly even, with less than a .010 difference in OPS.
Team strengthPhilliesPhiladelphia leads 65–50 in T-Score.
WeatherModerate impactA 11 mph wind could modestly increase carry on fly balls.

Starting pitchers

HOU
Hunter Brown RHP
Hunter Brown
Houston Astros
2026 season (MLB rank among qualified starters)
ERA
3.31
45th
WHIP
1.30
108th
K/9
9.62
47th
BB/9
4.76
204th
P-Score62i
FIP
4.18
HR/9
1.03
87th
OPS/R
0.612
IP
87.0
2026 ERA splits
Home ERA3.71
Road ERA2.67
Last 5 starts
PHI
Cristopher Sánchez LHP
Cristopher Sánchez
Philadelphia Phillies
2026 season (MLB rank among qualified starters)
ERA
2.58
13th
WHIP
1.20
68th
K/9
10.27
30th
BB/9
2.08
23rd
P-Score85i
FIP
2.59
HR/9
0.69
28th
OPS/R
0.739
IP
181.1
2026 ERA splits
Home ERA1.83
Road ERA3.68
Last 5 starts
How the starters differ
·Sánchez owns the lower FIP, 2.59 to 4.18.
·Sánchez walks 2.7 fewer batters per nine innings.
·Sánchez allows the lower home-run rate: 0.69 vs 1.03 per nine.
·Brown enters with a 2.67 road ERA; Sánchez owns a 1.83 ERA at home.
Advanced starter metricsERA−, FIP, WAR, career vs opponent
MetricBrownSánchezNote
ERA−8060Park- and league-adjusted; 100 is average.
FIP4.182.59
WAR1.25.9Season value.

How the lineups match the starters' pitch mix

Pitch data coverage: partial. Usage and velocity only.

Brown arsenal
PitchUsageVelo
Four-seam32%96.2
Sinker30%96.0
Knuckle Curve19%83.4
Changeup9%87.5
Slider9%90.7
Sánchez arsenal
PitchUsageVelo
Sinker44%95.1
Changeup38%87.0
Slider19%86.3

Team OPS vs opposing starter's hand

Astros vs LHP (Cristopher Sánchez)
16th
in MLB
0.702OPS
.600.700.800.9001.000
Phillies vs RHP (Hunter Brown)
18th
in MLB
0.712OPS
.600.700.800.9001.000

Lineups

Lineup pendingOrder from the stored snapshot; treat as unofficial until the card is filed.Full lineup page →
Lineups not announced

Neither club has posted a batting order. Handedness composition, H-Score leaders and batter-vs-pitcher samples appear here as soon as the first order is filed — typically two to three hours before first pitch.

Team comparison

ResultsHOUHOU·PHIPHI
+18716th
Run differential
+2367th
73–71 Record80–63
Last 10 games
Houston Astros (0–0)
Philadelphia Phillies (0–0)
2026 head-to-head
Season Series
0—0
0 Games Played

Frequently asked

Who is starting for the Astros?+
Hunter Brown is listed as the starter.
Who is starting for the Phillies?+
Cristopher Sánchez is listed as the starter.
What time does the game start?+
6:40 PM ET at Citizens Bank Park.
Where is the game being played?+
Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Are the lineups confirmed?+
Not yet. Orders appear here when they are posted.
How do the starters compare on P-Score?+
Hunter Brown is at 62; Cristopher Sánchez is at 85. P-Score is PitcherStat's 0–100 season index for qualified starters.
Astros vs Phillies Preview, Starting Pitchers & Lineups — Sep 9, 2026 | PitcherStat