Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sánchez will start the 2026 Major League Baseball All-Star Game in front of his home fans, while Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease has been selected to take the mound for the American League at Citizens Bank Park. National League manager Dave Roberts and the Blue Jays announced the assignments Sunday, cementing the marquee pitching matchup for the 96th Midsummer Classic.
Sánchez, making his second All-Star appearance, earned the National League nod following another standout first half. The 29-year-old southpaw enters the break at 11-4 with a 2.62 ERA through 20 starts and has established himself among the league’s top Cy Young Award contenders. Earlier this season, he set a franchise-era milestone with a 50 2/3-inning scoreless streak by a left-handed pitcher and has been especially dominant at Citizens Bank Park. Sánchez also becomes the first Phillies pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Roy Halladay in 2011 and the first to do so in Philadelphia since Curt Simmons in 1952.
Roberts selected Sánchez after adjusting for multiple roster vacancies. Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani withdrew due to left knee issues, and Milwaukee Brewers ace Jacob Misiorowski was sidelined with arm fatigue. “I think he deserves it. He’s the hometown ballplayer and I think the city of Philly will enjoy watching him and supporting him,” Roberts said. “I had a conversation with him this morning. … He was very grateful. In a time when guys are not wanting to participate, this guy in the Midsummer Classic for fans, I think this is a good thing. He’s very excited about pitching.”
Cease will make his All-Star Game debut after emerging as one of the American League’s premier starters. In his debut season with Toronto, the 30-year-old right-hander has compiled a 6-4 record with a 2.56 ERA while leading the American League with 148 strikeouts. Cease enters the exhibition just days after narrowly missing his second career no-hitter on Wednesday against San Francisco, a bid that was broken up with a single in the ninth inning on his 118th pitch. He is the first Blue Jays pitcher to start the All-Star Game since Halladay achieved the honor in 2009, with his selection coming after New York Yankees right-hander Cam Schlittler opted not to pitch in the exhibition following a recent start – opening the door for Blue Jays manager John Schneider to give the ball to his own ace.
The 96th MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday night at Citizens Bank Park.
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