Well … it’s a race.

A few weeks ago, the Phillies looked like they had the National League Eastern Division wrapped and sealed. However, we all soon forget baseball is a long season and a season of runs.

Heading into the final weeks, the Phillies and Mets will be battling for the top spot, and it could come down to the four-game set between the two clubs beginning Monday at Citizens Bank Park.

It could also come down — and most likely will — to pitching.

Speaking of pitching, is Christopher Sanchez a dark horse candidate for the Cy Young Award? Sanchez is a key for the Phils, as they begin to piece together their staff for the final stretch run and the postseason.

Cy-Zing It Up ... Sanchez easily can be mentioned in the same sentence with the other potential Cy Young Award winner this season.

Milwaukee’s Freddy Peralta is the presumed leader with his 16-5, 2.38 ERA, 176 strikeouts in 158.2 innings over 29 games. Teammate and closer Trevor Megill also is in the mix with a 5-3 record, a 2.54 ERA, 30-of-30 in saves, and 58 strikeouts in 46 innings over 49 games.

Ex-Phil Nick Pivetta is having a year worthy of the award with his 13-4, 2.84, 167 strikeouts in 158.1 innings over 27 games.

Sanchez should be right there with his 11-5, 2.66, 169 strikeouts in 149.4 innings over his 27 starts.

When Zack Wheeler went down, he had a 10-5 record with a 2.71 ERA and 195 strikeouts — still leading the league — over 149.2 innings.

If he stayed on track, Wheeler seemingly would have been a lock for the prize — especially if the Phils win the division.

The Brewers have slipped off their previous track a bit, but if Peralta and Megill pitch well down the stretch, one would likely take home the plaque.

All-Star Game starter Paul Skenes was 9-9 with a league-leading 2.05 ERA in his first 28 starts for the Pirates. If Skenes was with a contender, he could easily be a frontrunner.

The Other Lefty ... Last season, Sanchez finished the year with an 11-9 record, 3.32 ERA, 153 strikeouts in 181 innings over his 31 starts. He also led the league in complete games with two and had the league’s lone shutout.

His WHIP last season was 1.24, and his mark this year is 1.12. Sanchez also gave up 0.5 homers in nine innings last year, and he leads the league with the same mark this year.

Whether he wins or not, the 28-year-old Sanchez has established himself as a long-term staple.

Not This Buehler’s Day Off ... The Phils may have made their best pickup of the season when they signed free agent pitcher Walker Buehler.

With the loss of Wheeler and the ineffectiveness of Aaron Nola, Buehler is a solid insurance policy. Reportedly, the Mets had some interest in him, but the Phils inked him before any other contender could. He also can give the Phils a six-man rotation.

Buehler will make a start for the IronPigs Saturday, and is penciled in to make his Phillies debut against Kansas City Sept. 12.

This season, Buehler has been inconsistent with a 7-7 record and a 5.45 ERA in 22 starts with 84 strikeouts, 55 walks, and 22 home runs.

However, Buehler is 4-4 with a 3.06 ERA in the postseason with 114 strikeouts and 36 walks. He had a strong performance for the Dodgers in the World Series last season.

If Buehler is a true missing piece to the pitching puzzle, the 27-year-old could play himself to a long-term deal in the offseason, and also provide the Phils with an extra incentive to part ways with Ranger Suarez. The lone drawback is Buehler is a right-hander.

New York State of Mind ... Like the Phillies, the Mets and Yankees are lulling over their starters.

With the rise of rookies Nolan McLean and Jonah Tong, the Mets suddenly have a surplus of starters, but it’s a matter of quality not quantity. Kodai Senga — he’s not yet in the minors as of this writing — and Sean Manaea have slipped off their games, and Clay Holmes should be dumped to the bullpen.

There is a good chance the Phils will see other top prospect Brandon Sproat, and the Mets might slide him into the rotation if he has a good outing. Tyler Megill can be another option.

One popular theory has the Mets plugging in McLean, Tong, Sproat, David Peterson, and likely Holmes or Manaea. Even though hopes are high for the young trio, it will be interesting to see how they further adjust over the final 20-plus days of the regular season.

The Yankees have a clearer picture with Max Fried, Will Warren, Carlos Rodon, Luis Gil and rookie Cam Schlittler. They also have spot starter Ryan Yarbrough back from an early season setback.

New York found its closer in David Bednar, but the issue is getting to Bednar. Former closer Devin Williams wasn’t the answer, and he has trouble adjusting to another role. New additions Camlio Doval has struggled, and Jake Bird was sent to the minors. Luke Weaver lost the confidence of manager Aaron Boone to be the closer, but Fernando Cruz has returned from the injured list to be their setup man.

Readers Write

Is Sanchez Cy Young Worthy?

Dear Jeff,

Christopher Sanchez could be considered for the Cy Young, but I don’t think he has enough wins to be considered. That is no fault of his own. The Phillies have cost him a few wins with blown saves and a lack of run support.

Melissa Hammer Hager

Lehighton

Dodge Ball

Dear Jeff,

Just a few thoughts on my Dodgers.

They are in such disarray at this point in the season. They are the reigning World Series champs, but certainly don’t look like champs. High expectations at the beginning of the season, only to disappoint Dodger fans.

Some blame should be on manager Dave Roberts, but his proven track record should not be overlooked. My only criticism of him is his commitment to playing an underachieving Michael Conforto. When Conforto comes to bat I’m reminded of Bob Uecker being told “get a bat and kill this rally.”

Yes, injuries have been a major part of the Dodger season, but the “superstars” are underachieving — e.g., Betts, Teoscar Hernandez, and even Ohtani and Freeman.

They’re still in first place, but the Padres are threatening. Playoff success looks dim with the Brewers and Phillies looking unbeatable. Despite all this I remain a loyal fan, as I have through all the ups and downs since 1954.

Paul J. Dallara

Hawley PA.

Out of the Mouth of Babes ... One story that has slipped under the radar this season has been the Marlins, who the Phillies are playing over the weekend.

Miami has been in third place in the NL East since July 3, and they reached .500 (55-55) on Aug. 3. The Marlins played some of their best baseball in June (14-12) and July (15-10) under relatively unknown manager Clayton McCullough (how many of you really know who he is?)

But the most remarkable fact is that the Marlins have 15 (not a typo) rookies on their roster. Relief pitcher Luke Bachar and catcher Brian Navaretto are both 30-year-old rookies.

If you remember, the Phillies eliminated the Marlins in two games during the NL Wild Card Series. They finished in third with an overall 84-78 record.

Look for Miami to stay the course and possibly make a big splash. Their current payroll is 66 million, and veteran starting pitcher Sandy Alcantara tops the chart with a $17 million deal.

Scrapbook ... Each week, I’ll peel back the pages to review the career of a standout player from our coverage area.

Brett Kosciolek was a four-year letterwinner at Tamaqua High School. While at Tamaqua, Kosciolek had over 100 hits and 200 strikeouts as a first baseman, third baseman and pitcher.

Kosciolek helped lead the Blue Raiders to a Schuylkill League crown and two District 11 titles. He was the Times News Player of the Year in 2013, and was a three-time Schuylkill League selection. In addition, Kosciolek was a four-year letterwinner in basketball, and two-year letterwinner in football.

Upon graduation, Kosciolek played his freshman year at Rider University.

He went 3-2 with a 6.10 ERA in 11 starts over 13 games. He struck out 41 and walked 25 in 59 innings.

Kosciolek played with the Allentown Railers of the Atlantic Coast Baseball League in 2019.

Your thoughts are always welcomed and will be published; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com.