Phillies’ Sánchez, Blue Jays’ Cease to Start MLB All-Star Game

Summary:

• Cristopher Sánchez will start for the National League in Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game.
• Dylan Cease will get the ball for the American League.
• Sánchez will earn the honor in front of his home fans in Philadelphia, while Cease will become the first Blue Jays starter since Roy Halladay in 2009.

Starting pitchers for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game have been officially established: Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies is getting ready to take the mound for the National League while Dylan Cease of the Toronto Blue Jays will get the nod for the American League.

The Midsummer Classic will be played Tuesday night, July 14, at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, giving hometown favorite Sánchez the opportunity to open the game in front of his own fans.

NL Manager on Sánchez: “I Think He Deserves It” 

National League manager Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers said Sánchez earned the honor after an outstanding first half of the season.

I think he deserves it. He’s the hometown ballplayer, and I think the city of Philly will enjoy watching him and supporting him.

Sánchez enters the All-Star Game with an 11-4 record, a 2.62 ERA, and 144 strikeouts, ranking among Major League Baseball’s top pitchers this season. The left-hander also put together one of the year’s most remarkable performances with a 50⅔-inning scoreless streak.

Cease: “It’s Pretty Surreal”

On the American League side, Dylan Cease becomes the first Toronto Blue Jays pitcher to start the All-Star Game since Roy Halladay in 2009.

Cease has posted a 6-4 record with a 2.56 ERA and came within one out of throwing the second no-hitter of his career last week before surrendering a hit in the ninth inning against the San Francisco Giants.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider, who will also manage the American League squad, surprised Cease with the news during a team meeting before Sunday’s game.

It’s pretty surreal. I didn’t know what to say. It was just a really cool experience.

The pitching announcements come after several late roster changes. Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski, who leads the majors in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts, was replaced on the All-Star roster earlier this week because of arm fatigue. 

Meanwhile, New York Yankees rookie Cam Schlittler remains a question mark after pitching over the weekend, although manager Aaron Boone later suggested he could still be available if needed.

With two of baseball’s hottest pitchers getting the starting assignments, Tuesday’s All-Star Game promises an exciting showcase of elite pitching talent in Philadelphia.