The Philadelphia Phillies are playing their best baseball of the season , winning seven out of eight games since manager Rob Thomson was fired and replaced by Don Mattingly on an interim basis. It was fortunate timing for Mattingly to take over when he did. The Phillies’ schedule was softening after playing 13 straight games against the Chicago Cubs and Atlanta Braves, and they have taken full advantage. Of course, with how poorly Philadelphia played, they couldn’t underestimate any opponent. They needed to play better than they had been, and players have risen to the occasion to get the team back on track. One of the catalysts that did what they could to help keep the team afloat early on and help maintain this recent positive momentum has been starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez. The ace of the staff put forth another dominant outing against the Athletics, building up his early-season case to be a National League Cy Young contender.…