CINCINNATI — Every year, Zack Wheeler has the same three goals.
Win the Cy Young Award, win the World Series, and make the All-Star Game. After returning from thoracic outlet syndrome, a condition that has ended other pitchers’ careers, he didn’t diminish his own expectations.
And so it rankles the Phillies right-hander that one of those goals is officially out of reach this year due to factors out of his control.
Never mind that Wheeler posted a 2.28 ERA in his first 14 starts since returning from the surgery, including a dominant seven innings against the Reds on Tuesday night. Wheeler was not selected to his fourth All-Star Game through the player ballot, which was announced on Saturday. And because he is lined up to start for the Phillies on Sunday and is therefore ineligible to pitch two days later in the midsummer classic, he cannot be named a replacement like teammate Jesús Luzardo, who was one of three pitchers added to the team on Tuesday.
“It [ticks] me off, and it’s kind of B.S. Maybe if I wasn’t necessarily right in there I wouldn’t be saying this, but I feel like I’ve earned it,” Wheeler said. “Just because I pitch on a certain day, I can’t pitch an All-Star Game, or even be there, or get the recognition for it. They could have did it a few different ways. I didn’t necessarily have to get chosen right away, but I feel like I was right there, so maybe they put me in and automatically just shoot me right back out and put somebody else in.
“There’s certain ways to do it, and you figure they would have a clue about it by now, how many All-Star games they’ve had, and I think it’s kind of just a B.S. rule that just because I pitch on a certain day, I get punished for it.”
Kyle Schwarber (left) celebrates with Bryce Harper after hitting a two-run homer.Carolyn Kaster
Wheeler said he typically throws a bullpen session the second or third day after his start and informed his agent he would be willing to pitch an inning on July 14, but was told he is not allowed.
The Phillies had a similar snub last season. Cristopher Sánchez was passed over for an All-Star selection despite a 2.59 ERA in the first half, due to also pitching the final game before the break. The club activated the bonus clause in his contract for an All-Star selection, but Sánchez did not get league recognition.
“It just [stinks] that we have to deal with it,” said Kyle Schwarber, who is one of six Phillies on the National League roster. “We dealt with it last year, dealt with it this year now, and when someone who’s putting up the numbers deserves it, you want them to just get that nod.”
But even if Wheeler will not earn his third consecutive All-Star selection, he certainly put on an All-Star-caliber performance on Tuesday. He held the Reds to one run over seven innings as he pitched with some extra motivation.
Wheeler’s 14 strikeouts matched a career-high.
“I felt like that’s kind of a reminder,” he said, “for whoever needs to be reminded.”
Wheeler leaned on all six of his pitches to keep the Reds off-balance. He generated 20 swings and misses. Early in his outing, his sweeper was his main strikeout pitch. But by the third time through Cincinnati’s order, Wheeler started throwing his splitter more often late in counts as he tried to give hitters different looks.
“I think that’s the one thing with Zack that I’ve seen since I’ve been here,” said interim manager Don Mattingly. “If a guy’s got a weakness, he can get there with different pitches. It’s either the backdoor sink, he can go four [seam] up, he’s got the sweeper, he’s got the split, so there’s weapons for all different styles of guys.”
Zack Wheeler generated swings and misses with all of his signature pitches against the Reds.Carolyn Kaster
Wheeler did not walk a batter. The solo homer he gave up to Eugenio Suárez to lead off the seventh was just the fourth hit and baserunner Wheeler had allowed all night. But he capped the inning — and his outing — by getting Tyler Stephenson to chase a splitter for his 14th strikeout.
“Definitely had some extra focus today. Looked really good in the bullpen,” said catcher J.T. Realmuto. “From start to finish, that was about as good as I’ve seen him.”
The Phillies’ offense provided all the cushion Wheeler needed against Reds lefty Andrew Abbott. In the third inning, Derek Hill started things off with a double, advanced to third on a single from Justin Crawford, and scored on an RBI groundout from Trea Turner.
Abbott then served up a 3-0 fastball over the middle of the plate to Schwarber.
The Ohio native doesn’t often swing in 3-0 counts. In fact, across the first 28 times Schwarber has gotten ahead 3-0 this season, he swung just once, which resulted in a foul tip. Three times, he was intentionally walked. The other 24 times, Schwarber took the 3-0 pitch.
But this time, Schwarber delivered a 408-foot home run to right field, his 31st of the season and 11th against a left-hander.
“I’m not very good at swinging 3-0, I don’t think my numbers are great at all. It’s just kind of always been a little thing for some reason,” Schwarber said. “Not many successful things happen for me there, which is a weird thing, but it just kind of was the spot, the situation.”
The Phillies tacked on another run in the eighth inning on a sacrifice fly from Edmundo Sosa.
After taking over for Wheeler, Orion Kerkering got into some trouble in the bottom of the frame, issuing back-to-back walks to bring the tying run to the plate. He nearly got out of it, inducing a ground ball to Alec Bohm for a potential inning-ending double play, but Elly De La Cruz was ruled safe at second while Sal Stewart was called out at first.
The Phillies challenged the safe call on De La Cruz, believing that he abandoned the base path by continuing toward the outfield rather than turning to third base immediately after the play. After a lengthy review, the call was upheld. Crew chief Alfonso Marquez told a pool reporter that abandoning of the base path is not challengeable, according to league rules.
Phillies infield coach Bobby Dickerson (right) was ejected by crew chief Alfonso Márquez (center) after their failed challenge of Elly De La Cruz abandoning the base path on a ground ball in the eighth inning.Carolyn Kaster
“In our minds, De La Cruz did not turn left toward third at all,” Mattingly said. “I asked for a rules check from that standpoint, to make sure they knew the rule. Because that’s what they explained to us, showed us video in spring training that you cannot continue running.”
Pitching coach Caleb Cotham and infield coach Bobby Dickerson were ejected after the ruling.
Following the delay, JJ Bleday battled Kerkering for a nine-pitch walk to load the bases and Mattingly brought in Jonathan Bowlan for Suárez. Bowlan made the disagreement moot by striking out Suárez with a slider in the dirt, stranding all three runners.
Jhoan Duran sidestepped a soft infield single to strike out the side in the ninth, picking up his 22nd save of the season.
In doing so, he also ensured that Wheeler earned his ninth win.
“I’m sure there’s a little bit of [an] extra thing in the back of his head where he wanted to go out there and have a really good night, and he did it,” Schwarber said. “And I’m happy that he’s on our side.”
CINCINNATI — The Phillies bullpen shuffle continued on Tuesday ahead of their series opener against the Reds.
Right-hander Max Lazar was recalled from triple-A Lehigh Valley, while lefty Kyle Backhus was optioned.
Backhus has struggled since returning from an elbow injury at the end of June. In seven appearances since being activated from the injured list, Backhus has a 7.94 ERA.
“We just felt like Back hasn’t been throwing the ball like he did before before the injury,” said interim manager Don Mattingly. “He says he feels great, and I think he understands he’s just not throwing the ball well yet, so this gives him an opportunity to kind of work regularly, get his stuff together, and be prepared when we need him.”
Backhus also pitched an inning in the 15-1 loss to the Royals in the series finale on Monday, while Lazar gives the Phillies a fresh arm. Lazar, who has a 3.93 ERA in 18⅓ innings in triple A, can also be a multi-inning option.
Right-hander Brad Keller joined the team in Cincinnati and is set to be reinstated from the injured list on Wednesday. Keller had been on the shelf since June 16 with right forearm tendinitis, a nagging injury that Mattingly said he had been pitching through for a while before hitting the injured list.
Brad Keller joined the team in Cincinnati and is set to be reinstated from the injured list on Wednesday.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Keller made two appearances with the IronPigs on a rehab assignment, and pitched a scoreless inning on Sunday. Mattingly wanted to give Keller two days off before activating him.
Even after the blowout loss in Kansas City on Monday after Cristopher Sánchez only went 3⅔ innings, Mattingly feels his bullpen is in good shape for the Phillies’ series against the Reds. Garrett Stubbs pitched an inning in the loss, which also helped save an arm.
Wednesday’s game in Cincinnati will be a bullpen game, although the Phillies have not yet announced who will take the ball to start.
Day off for Marsh
With Brandon Marsh due for a day off, and the Phillies facing two left-handers in a row — the Royals’ Noah Cameron on Monday and the Reds’ Andrew Abbott on Tuesday — Mattingly let the outfielder choose when to sit.
Marsh opted to take off Tuesday against Abbott, with Edmundo Sosa taking over in left field and Justin Crawford remaining in the lineup in center field. Derek Hill started in right.
“[Abbott’s] got more of the sweep, which is a pitch that’s given Marshy more trouble from the left side,” Mattingly said.
Marsh has a .256 batting average and .706 OPS against left-handers this season after playing his way into an everyday role.
As the All-Star break approaches, Mattingly thinks the team overall is keeping its focus.
“I’ve had a lot of teams that you go into the break and you know guys are kind of hitting the wall a little bit. They also know these days off are coming,” Mattingly said. “I always talk about playing to the break. … Don’t take it off a series early or something. But I think we’re holding up OK. I think the tone with which we’ve played, not so much the result of the game, but the way you feel, the way guys are going about their business and stuff, you still feel good about.”
Extra bases
Reds All-Star right-hander Chase Burns (10-1, 2.40 ERA) will start against the Phillies in their bullpen game on Wednesday.
CINCINNATI — The first time Don Mattingly managed Jesús Luzardo, the lefty was at his lowest.
In 2021, Luzardo was traded midseason from the Oakland A’s to the Miami Marlins, where Mattingly was at the helm. Across the two teams, the 23-year-old Luzardo posted a 6.61 ERA.
“2021 was by far the worst year of my career,” Luzardo said. “And he saw me when I was struggling.”
It was a full-circle moment when the Phillies interim manager called Luzardo into his office this week, along with pitching coaches Caleb Cotham and Mark Lowy, to let him know he had been named an All-Star for the first time in his career.
Luzardo was added to the National League roster Tuesday along with the Pirates’ Braxton Ashcraft and Cardinals’ Riley O’Brien as replacements for the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski, the Marlins’ Max Meyer, and the Pirates’ Paul Skenes.
Misiorowski, Meyer, and Skenes are all lined up to pitch on Sunday, making them ineligible to appear in the All-Star Game on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park.
“It’s obviously an honor, first one of my career,” Luzardo said. “It’s been a really good year, as a team too, fighting back from a bad start. So it’s a good note, but something to continue to build on.”
Phillies pitcher Jesús Luzardo looks up as he comes off the mound in the first inning of the Miami Marlins at Philadelphia Phillies MLB baseball game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday, June 16, 2026.Elizabeth Robertson / Staff Photographer
Luzardo lowered his season ERA to 3.75 after holding the Royals to one run over six innings on Saturday. His sweeper, which he developed last season after the Phillies acquired him in a trade with Miami, has become one of the best pitches in baseball. Hitters are batting .141 against it, and the pitch has a 50.4% strikeout rate, which ranks only behind Padres right-hander Mason Miller’s slider.
The news of his selection took Luzardo completely by surprise. He had a sense that something was up when Mattingly summoned him, but wasn’t sure what it could be.
“You grew up watching the All-Star Game and the festivities around it,” Luzardo said. “Just being out there, being in a clubhouse with all the great players around the league, and being in front of the home crowd I think is also going to be very cool.”
It’s all the more special that Luzardo’s first appearance will come in his home ballpark. After being traded three times in his career, he found stability in Philadelphia, and signed a five-year extension with the team during spring training.
“I love everything about Philly, the team, the organization, the city,” he said. “It’s been a great time for me and my family. We’ve enjoyed it a lot. So just a good point on a good first year after signing that, and will look to build on a lot more.”
Growing up in South Florida, Luzardo has fond memories of playing baseball in the street with his friends, dreaming of moments like this.
“It was always big moments, whether it’s an All-Star Game or Game 7 of the World Series,” Luzardo said. “We would always make up these situations in our head at a young age. I did that from when I was like five to even probably almost through middle school. We were out on the street all the time, making up scenarios.”
Luzardo joins Cristopher Sánchez, Brandon Marsh, Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, and Jhoan Duran as the Phillies’ sixth All-Star this year.
Despite a 2.36 ERA entering Tuesday’s start against the Reds, Zack Wheeler remains off the National League roster after he was not selected by the player ballot. Wheeler is lined up to start for the Phillies on Sunday, and would be ineligible to appear in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
New York Yankees slugger Ben Rice will be swinging for the fences in Philadelphia on Monday.
Rice, who leads the Yankees with 25 homers this season, announced Tuesday that he will be participating in the Home Run Derby at Citizens Bank Park.
He’ll look to become the first Yankees player to win the derby since Aaron Judge in 2017.
The 27-year-old Rice said on social media that his father, Dan, who was a pitcher on Brown’s baseball team in the 1980s, will throw to him. Rice said they’ve already been practicing for the contest.
Rice has 58 homers over his first three seasons in the majors.
This is the second straight a year a Yankees player will appear in the Home Run Derby. Jazz Chisholm Jr. entered last year but was eliminated in the first round.
Judge is one of four Yankees players to win the Home Run Derby. The others are Tino Martinez (1997), Jason Giambi (2002) and Robinson Canó (2011).
Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero also is participating in the event. The full field has not yet been announced. The Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper are still deciding whether they will participate.
Major League Baseball is pulling out all the stops for next week’s All-Star Game — including employing some of Philadelphia’s own to get the party started.
On Tuesday, MLB announced the slate of entertainment for its midsummer classic at Citizens Bank Park (July 14, 8 p.m., Fox29). Philly native and “Godmother of Soul” Patti LaBelle will perform the national anthem, while EGOT winner Jennifer Hudson is slated to sing “America the Beautiful.” Philadelphia R&B group Boyz II Men and Top Gun: Maverick star Miles Teller, a Downingtown native, also headline the game’s entertainers.
“As we gather to celebrate America’s 250th birthday, Philadelphia is the perfect stage to bring this milestone to life,” MLB chief marketing officer Uzma Rawn Dowler said in a statement. “… This lineup captures the unique energy of the city while honoring how baseball has been a part of the American spirit for 250 years.”
The 2026 All-Star Game entertainment lineup has been announced 🔥
-Jennifer Hudson to perform "America the Beautiful" -Philadelphia's Patti LaBelle to sing national anthem -Pennsylvania natives Miles Teller and Boyz II Men to participate in All-Star presentation features pic.twitter.com/NMdIgBGFpc
LaBelle will be accompanied by the Military District of Washington Joint Chorus and West Point Band for her rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner.” LaBelle, 82, was born in Southwest Philadelphia, attended Bartram High School, and resides in Villanova. In 2019, the city honored the two-time Grammy winner by renaming a block of Broad Street between Spruce and Locust “Patti LaBelle Way.”
“I’m a Philadelphia girl,” LaBalle told The Inquirer in February. “It’s laid back, comfortable. … How I like it.”
Hudson also will have some backup and will perform “America the Beautiful” alongside the Philly Pops and the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife and Drum Corps. In 2022, Hudson, then 40, became the third-youngest person, and youngest woman, to have won each of entertainment’s biggest awards — an Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, and Tony. The Chicago native is the only All-Star performer who does not boast direct Philadelphia ties, but she is no stranger to playing in the city — just last month, her tour with Josh Groban stopped at Xfinity Mobile Arena. Most notably, the “Spotlight” singer headlined the Wawa Welcome America Festival in 2019.
It is unclear if Boyz II Men will be diving into its extensive discography during its performance. After the fifth inning, the group will provide the soundtrack to the league’s Stand Up To Cancer placard moment — in which fans will hold up signs for their loved ones who have been affected by cancer. MLB first started the tradition in Philadelphia during the 2009 World Series.
Miles Teller, the only nonmusician on the list, will be lending his voice to a “stirring tribute of baseball’s impact on American life,” according to MLB. The task is fitting for the actor, who has made his Phillies fandom known over the years. During the 2022 World Series, in which the Phillies fell to the Houston Astros in six games, Teller was a mainstay at Citizens Bank Park. He told The Inquirer he had befriended Phillies pitcher Aaron Nola and then-first baseman Rhys Hoskins. The Whiplash actor even texts with play-by-play announcer Tom McCarthy.
“It’s a pretty big year,” Teller said in 2022. “Top Gun. Also, I turned 35, which feels like a number. [I] hosted Saturday Night Live for the first time. And the Phillies, man. I’ve always lived and died with the Phillies, dude. That’s always been the most important thing to me.”
Bryce Harper is not shy about showing love to the Philadelphia area, and his latest cleats are no exception.
On Tuesday, Under Amour released the UA Harper 11, the Phillies star’s 11th signature cleat with the company. And the first colorway, named “All Lines Lead Home,” is inspired by SEPTA and its colorful map, symbolizing the “many paths players, fans, and visitors take to reach the city,” the brand wrote in a release.
The low-top cleats feature a knit sock collar and a metallic silver base with streaks of color across it to symbolize SEPTA’s different routes. The colors include orange (for the Broad Street Line), blue (Market/Frankford Line), red (PATCO), light green (trolleys), and purple (Norristown High Speed Line). There also is a replica of the SEPTA map on the cleat’s tongue. The bottom of the cleat spikes are half red and half blue, similar to the SEPTA logo, and the tongue pull loop has Philly’s “215″ area code on it.
“Inspired by the Philly lines that bring fans together on game day and the player at the center of it all — the UA Harper 11 brings crazy new traction and signature Bryce attitude,” Under Armour wrote under the listing of Harper’s cleat on its website.
Harper’s “All Lines Lead Home” cleats also will be part of a Yard Icon collection at Under Armour and release in the five colorways representing Philly’s transit lines.
In addition to new cleats for Harper (right), Under Armour also released new “All Lines” colorways for its UA Yard Icon cleats, featuring fellow big-league stars (from left) Konnor Griffin, Juan Soto, Gunnar Henderson, Freddie Freeman, and Bobby Witt Jr.Courtesy of Under Armour
The “All Lines Lead Home” cleats — which can be preordered for $140 (shipping is expected later this month, according to the website) — are the latest cleat collaboration from Harper that pays tribute to the region. Earlier this year, Harper released the “Mad House” colorway of his Under Armour Harper 10s, which referenced the Jersey Shore. In the past, he’s also paid homage to Wawa with his “Gottahava Harper” PE cleats, which were released during HoagieFest two years ago. And, of course, he’s continued his love affair with the Phillie Phanatic, rocking fuzzy Harper 3s inspired by the mascot’s colors last year.
Harper and Under Armour reached a contract extension in January, and the arrival of a new signature cleat shows the company’s commitment to keeping him as the face of its baseball endeavors. The Phillies’ first baseman has been with Under Amour since 2011.
The release of Harper’s new footwear also coincides with next week’s MLB All-Star Game, in which the former MVP will participate for the ninth time in his career, and third time as a Phillie. The brand also announced it “will bring Harper’s cleats to life” through a fan experience at 1190 Market St. during All-Star week, which starts Saturday.
So as the baseball world prepares to descend on Philly for the midsummer classic, it appears Harper’s new cleats are correct: all routes do indeed lead to the Bank.
If the Phillies end up taking a pitcher with the No. 36 pick in the upcoming draft, the MLB network will have the perfect analyst on hand to break it down.
Cole Hamels, the 2008 World Series MVP and current NBC Sports Philadelphia broadcaster, is joining MLB Network’s live coverage of the 2026 MLB draft, which kicks off Saturday afternoon at 1 p.m. at the Pennsylvania Convention Center.
Longtime MLB Network coordinating producer Chris Roenbeck, who is working his fourth draft, said they’re always looking to add a “special wrinkle” to their coverage. With this year’s draft taking place in Philadelphia, the stars aligned to add Hamels to their broadcast.
“When we started brainstorming months ago, we quickly thought of Cole, given his decorated career with the Phillies and being a first-round pick,” Roenbeck said. “We’ll go to him early and often for pitching insights, relying on his unique perspective, which will only enhance our broadcast.”
Hamels is the only new addition to MLB’s Network’s draft coverage, which will be hosted by Greg Amsinger and feature analysis by Mark DeRosa, Harold Reynolds, and former Colorado Rockies general manager Dan O’Dowd.
“We’re beyond excited to have Cole part of our draft team,” Amsinger said, noting Hamels’ “draft experience and pitching expertise will take our show to the next level.”
“Certainly, we would love to have him every weekend,” Alexandra Matcham, the vice president of content for NBC Sports Philadelphia, told The Inquirer in March.
Hamels won’t be the only Philly addition. The opening of MLB Network’s draft coverage will be voiced by Black Thought (aka Tariq Trotter), lead MC of the Philly hip hop group The Roots.
NBC will broadcast the first 10 picks of the MLB draft
The 2026 MLB draft will take place at the Pennsylvania Convention Center in Center City.Tom Gralish / Staff Photographer
Hamels and company will be on hand to discuss the Phillies’ No. 32 pick, but MLB Network won’t air the first 10 picks of the draft
Why? Because NBC will be broadcasting the first hour and a half of this year’s MLB draft as part of their three-year TV rights deal with MLB, taking over for ESPN.
As a result, the MLB draft will begin at 1 p.m. Saturday on NBC before coverage shifts to MLB Network at 2:30 p.m., picking things up with the No. 11 pick.
NBC will carry MLB Network’s production, so you won’t see Mike Tirico and crew this weekend.
The entire draft will stream on Peacock, which will simulcast MLB Network’s coverage after NBC cuts away to cover the American Century Championship, often described as the Super Bowl of celebrity golf tournaments.
The draft streaming on Peacock is good news for YouTube TV subscribers, where MLB Network has remained dark for three years due to a contract dispute. The network is also available to stream as part of MLB+, beginning at $5.99 per month.
The MLB Network has broadcast the draft since 2009. ESPN was the first network to broadcast the draft, which aired the first round live on ESPN2 in 2007.
Quick hits
Malik Tillman reacts after the U.S. was eliminated from the World Cup by Belgium Monday. Manu Fernandez
“This doesn’t have to be the last soccer you watch for the next four years.” That was John Strong, Fox’s lead World Cup announcer, pleading with American fans after the U.S. was eliminated from the World Cup by Belgium Monday.
Credit to Delran native and two-time World Cup champ Carli Lloyd, who wasn’t afraid to criticize U.S. star Christian Pulisic after the United States’ disappointing loss.
On a brighter note for American football fans, the NFL preseason is less than a month away. The annual Pro Football Hall of Fame game, featuring the Arizona Cardinals and Carolina Panthers, kicks off Aug. 6. The Eagles’ first preseason game against the Baltimore Ravens is one week later on Aug. 15.
Citizens Bank Park will host the 96th All-Star Game on Tuesday, a showcase for the game’s best with a healthy contingent of Phillies.
After two phases of fan voting, Major League Baseball announced the starters on Saturday along with the reserves and pitchers. The remaining roster spots were determined through a players’ ballot and the commissioner’s office.
Let’s meet the cast of stars who were selected to play in South Philly (statistics through Sunday):
(Editor’s note: This story has been updated with roster moves since the initial All-Star announcement).
American League starters
First base: Ben Rice, Yankees
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .279/.372/.559, 29 HR, 68 RBIs
What to know: The 27-year-old Rice was beat out in fan voting for the starting spot at first base by Guerrero, but he had much better numbers than the Jays star. Rice’s .971 OPS is third in baseball.
Second base: Ernie Clement, Blue Jays
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .296/.318/.433, 8 HR, 32 RBIs
What to know: Clement was the top vote-getter in the AL for Phase 1, earning him a starting nod. It’s the latest achievement for an unlikely star, who has become a fan favorite in Toronto and delivered a record-setting postseason performance with 30 hits during the Jays’ run to the 2025 World Series.
All-Star stat: Clement is among the game’s toughest hitters to strike out with a 16% whiff rate, which is in the 90th percentile among MLB hitters.
Shortstop: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .286/.355/.461, 13 HR, 39 RBIs, 30 SBs
What to know: A Team USA teammate of Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber in the World Baseball Classic in March, Witt Jr. is a five-tool player who is in the 99th percentile in sprint speed and is second in fielding range (outs above average). He’s averaged 23.6 home runs, 82.4 RBIs, 35.6 stolen bases, and an .840 OPS in his five major league seasons.
All-Star stat: Witt Jr. leads the American League with 4.9 WAR (Baseball Reference), which is fourth in baseball.
Third base: Junior Caminero, Rays
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: .279/.372/.555, 28 HR, 59 RBIs
What to know: The 23-year-old Caminero, who also competed in the Home Run Derby, is starting his second straight All-Star Game, but this is his first time being voted in. Nicknamed “La Máxima,” Caminero has a brother named Girardi, after former Phillies manager Joe Girardi, then the manager of the Yankees.
All-Star stat: Caminero has elite bat speed, averaging 79.9 mph, tops in baseball, and has a hard-hit rate of 51.8%, a career best and in the 93rd percentile in MLB.
Outfield: Riley Greene, Tigers
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .288/.380/.462, 13 HR, 45 RBI
What to know: One of three Tigers in the game, Greene, 25, is hitting for a higher average this season after batting .260 over the previous two seasons. But his power numbers are down for a guy who averaged 30 homers from 2024-25, and strikeouts remain an issue: He led the majors with 201 in 2025 and has 108 this season.
Outfield: Mike Trout, Angels
All-Star selections: 12th
2026 stats: .237/.390/.473, 18 HR, 39 RBIs
What to know: The three-time MVP’s 90.5 career WAR is tops among active players. After playing in 130 games last season — his most since 2019 — Trout has played in 78 of the Angels’ 97 games this season, but has been out since June 18 with a strained right hamstring. With the Angels going nowhere again, will the Millville native and rabid Eagles fan finally ask to be traded? That was a topic of conversation during All-Star festivities with the Phillies among the teams in the market for a right-handed hitter.
All-Star stat: A career .291 hitter, Trout is way down at .237, but his on-base percentage remains elite at .390. And with 18 home runs, he is on pace to surpass the 26 he hit last season, his most since his 40 in 2022.
Outfield: Cody Bellinger, Yankees
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .254/.345/.421, 11 HR, 51 RBIs
What to know: Bellinger has regained the elite plate discipline that was a staple of his game when he won NL MVP with the Dodgers in 2019. His 12.7% walk rate is in the 91st percentile and is way up from last season (8.7%).
All-Star stat: Bellinger has regained the elite plate discipline that was a staple of his game early in his career when he won NL MVP with the Dodgers in 2019. His 12.7% walk rate is in the 87th percentile and is way up from last season (8.7%).
Catcher: Shea Langeliers, Athletics
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .257/.324/.483, 21 HR, 46 RBIs
What to know: The 28-year-old Langeliers has already notched his fourth straight season with at least 20 home runs. Only Cal Raleigh (133) has more home runs among catchers since 2023 than Langeliers (103).
All-Star stat: Langeliers posted a career-best 3.9 oWAR (offensive wins above replacement) in 2025, second among catchers again only to Raleigh’s 4.1. Langeliers has a 2.4 oWAR in 2026, trailing only Tigers catcher Dillon Dingler (3.0).
Designated hitter: Yordan Alvarez, Astros
All-Star selections: Fourth
2026 stats: .318/.426/.633, 31 HR, 70 RBIs
What to know: Alvarez, who won AL Rookie of the Year in 2019 and finished third in MVP voting in 2022, is having another big season, topping baseball in OPS, on-base percentage, and slugging.
All-Star stat: Alvarez’s expected slugging percentage, which measures a hitter’s quality of contact, is the best in MLB at .713, a career high.
National League starters
First base: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
All-Star selections: 10th
2026 stats: .290/.375/.487, 15 HR, 49 RBIs
What to know: Freeman, 36, has appeared in every All-Star Game from 2018 to 2026, the only player in baseball to do so. This will be his sixth start and third with the Dodgers.
All-Star stat: One of the best pure hitters in the game, Freeman’s expected weighted on-base average (which measures the quality of a hitter’s contact regardless of factors beyond their control like defensive player abilities and dimensions of the ballpark) of .383 is in the 96th percentile and is up 33 points from 2025.
Second base: Ozzie Albies, Braves
All-Star selections: Fourth
2026 stats: .267/.320/.439, 14 HR, 51 RBIs
What to know: Albies topped Phillies second baseman Bryson Stott in Phase 2 of the All-Star vote. After getting off to a hot start (.908 OPS, seven homers, 20 RBIs) in the first month of the season, Albies has a .682 OPS since May 1.
All-Star stat: Along with decent power and speed, Albies has been one of the toughest hitters to strike out this season. His strikeout percentage of 13.4% is in the 90th percentile in the game.
Shortstop: CJ Abrams, Nationals
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: .275/.352/.510, 20 HR, 67 RBIs
What to know: The speedy Abrams has improved his power metrics in his fourth full season with the Nationals. He has met his career high of 20 homers set in 2024 and surpassed his career high of RBIs.
All-Star stat: Abrams’ slugging percentage is up 77 points from last season, and his average exit velocity has risen to a career-best 89.9 mph, which puts him in the 61st percentile among major leaguers.
Third base: Max Muncy, Dodgers
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .259/.354/.488, 17 HR, 40 RBIs
What to know: Muncy beat out the Phillies’ Alec Bohm to become the first Dodger to start an All-Star Game at third base since Ron Cey in 1977.
All-Star stat: In addition to boosting his batting average and maintaining his power stroke, the 35-year-old Muncy is having his best defensive season at third base. His outs above average is in the 80th percentile of all major leaguers, by far the best of his career at third base.
Outfield: Brandon Marsh, Phillies
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .301/.339/.490, 15 HR, 46 RBIs
What to know: Marsh has broken through as an All-Star starter in his fourth full season with the Phillies, proving that he can hit enough against lefties to be an everyday player. A career .208 hitter against lefties entering this season, Marsh is batting .245 against southpaws in 2026.
All-Star stat: While Marsh is swinging at almost anything (his 37.7% chase rate is in the bottom 10% of the league and is the highest of his career), he is crushing pitches in the zone. He is among the best in the game with a 44.3% launch angle sweet spot rate (99th percentile).
Outfield: Juan Soto, Mets
All-Star selections: Fifth
2026 stats: .290/.405/.562, 21 HR, 51 RBIs
What to know: The Mets’ $765 million man is having an elite season even if his team has underwhelmed, sitting in last place in the NL East. He is third in baseball with a .405 on-base percentage and has more walks (55) than strikeouts (43). His walk-to-strikeout ratio is second in the National League to the Giants’ Luis Arraez.
All-Star stat: Soto, along with the Astros’ Yordan Alvarez and Nationals’ James Wood, is in the top three in baseball in two of the most comprehensive contact quality metrics, expected weighted on-base average and expected slugging.
Outfield: Andy Pages, Dodgers
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .270/.336/.471, 17 HR, 66 RBIs
What to know: The 25-year-old is fifth in the NL in RBIs, building off a 27-homer season in 2025 while playing elite defense in center field.
All-Star stat: Pages has cleaned up batting with runners in scoring position this season. He’s among the league leaders with a .349 batting average with runners in scoring position, driving in 53 of his 66 RBIs.
Catcher: Drake Baldwin, Braves
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .254/.335/.437, 15 HR, 46 RBIs
What to know: The National League Rookie of the Year in 2025 got off to a strong start to his second season, batting .303 with 13 home runs and 38 RBIs through May 18, but an oblique strain in his right side sidelined him for almost a month. He’s struggled in his return, batting .154 in 24 games.
All-Star stat: Although Baldwin is still trying to regain his early-season stroke, he is hitting the ball with an elite combination of launch angle and exit velocity. His 15.3% barrel rate is in the 92nd percentile among major leaguers, and is up from 11% in his rookie season.
Designated hitter: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
All-Star selections: Fourth
2026 stats: .254/.367/.560, 32 HR, 59 RBIs
What to know: Schwarber is back in the All-Star Game for a second straight season and third time as a Phillie. His 32 home runs lead the majors, and his .560 slugging percentage is sixth in baseball.
AL pitchers
Bryan Baker, Rays
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 1.73 ERA, 25 saves
What to know: Baker is tied for second in saves in his first season as the Rays’ closer, holding opponents to a .150 batting average.
Dylan Cease, Blue Jays
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 2.56 ERA, 148 Ks, 2.18 FIP
What to know: In his first season with the Jays after signing a $210 million deal, Cease leads the AL in strikeouts. He will start for the AL.
Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox
All-Star selections: Ninth
2026 stats: 2.20 ERA, 19 saves
What to know: The 38-year-old flame-throwing closer is still missing bats, with 36 strikeouts in 28⅔ innings, but his 29.8% whiff rate is his lowest in six seasons.
Jacob Latz, Rangers
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 1.61 ERA, 18 saves, 0.672 WHIP
What to know: After losing out for a spot in the rotation entering the season, Latz moved to the bullpen and thrived. He took over officially as closer in late April. Latz posted a 1.13 ERA with 11 saves in June to win AL Reliever of the Month.
Parker Messick, Guardians
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 2.73 ERA, 1.071 WHIP
What to know: Messick wasn’t even assured of a rotation spot entering the season, but the rookie has emerged as one of the best young pitchers in the game. Hitters are batting just .140 against his four-seam fastball.
Drew Rasmussen, Rays
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: 3.26 ERA, 0.946 WHIP
What to know: Rasmussen followed up an All-Star season in 2025 with an even better one in 2026. He is second in the AL in WHIP, and is in the 99th percentile in walk rate (4.3%).
Joe Ryan, Twins
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: 2.85 ERA, 1.051 WHIP
What to know: Ryan figures to be one of the more popular pitchers mentioned in trade deadline speculation. He has anchored the Twins’ rotation for a second straight All-Star season.
Cam Schlittler, Yankees
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 2.05 ERA, 205 ERA+
What to know: Schlittler’s four-seamer, which averages 97.7 mph, has held opponents to a .192 batting average and a 33.2% whiff rate. His strikeout percentage (29.2%) is in the 90th percentile.
Cade Smith, Guardians
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 2.84 ERA, 28 saves
What to know: Smith has led the majors in saves for much of the season, buoyed by a 34.8% strikeout rate, which is in the 98th percentile in the game.
Nick Martinez, P, Rays
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 8-2, 2.65 ERA
What to know: The 35-year-old Martinez, who played five years in Japan, is having a career season in Tampa. He ranks fifth in the AL in pitcher WAR (Baseball Reference). He replaces former Phillie Ranger Suárez, who is out of the game with a groin strain.
Louis Varland, Blue Jays
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 1.10 ERA, 19 saves, 12.3 SO/9
What to know: In his first season as closer, Varland has been dominant, striking out 67 in 49 innings.
Michael Wacha, Royals
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: 3.77 ERA, 1.190 WHIP
What to know: The 35-year-old starter, who last made the All-Star Game in 2015, has been a workhorse for the Royals, pitching a league-high 119⅓ innings in 19 starts.
Justin Verlander, P, Tigers
All-Star selections: 10
2026 stats: 12.27 ERA in one start
What to know: The 43-year-old Verlander, who announced on Wednesday that he will retire at the end of the season, was added to the AL team as a “Legend Pick” by commissioner Rob Manfred. On the 60-day injured list with hamstring and hip injuries, Verlander will not pitch in the game but will be honored during the All-Star festivities.
AL reserves
Dillon Dingler, C, Tigers
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .262/.323/.508, 19 HR, 60 RBI
What to know: Dingler’s .508 slugging percentage is second among catchers only to fellow All-Star Hunter Goodman. He is also a Gold Glove-caliber backstop with elite numbers for pitch framing, blocks above average, and pop time.
Adley Rutschman, C, Orioles
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .253/.327/.436, 8 HR, 47 RBIs
What to know: Rutschman remains an elite defensive catcher, ranking in the 97th percentile in caught stealing above average. He also has an impressive 14.2% whiff rate, meaning he rarely swings and misses.
Travis Bazzana, 2B, Guardians
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .238/.330/.389, 7 HR, 28 RBIs, 13 SB
What to know: The first overall pick of the 2024 draft, Bazzana, who’s from Australia, has impressed with his discipline at the plate and speed on the bases. His walk percentage (11.3%) and chase rate (26%) are near the 75th percentile in the majors, not bad for a 23-year-old rookie.
Kevin McGonigle, SS, Tigers
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .283/.392/.420, 8 HR, 34 RBIs
What to know: An Aldan native and Bonner-Prendergast graduate, McGonigle, 21, has arrived as a rookie star for the Tigers. Most notable is his plate discipline: He has more walks than strikeouts and is in the 99th percentile in chase rate. That contributes to a .392 on-base percentage, good for ninth in the majors.
Miguel Vargas, INF, White Sox
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .245/.355/.493, 21 HR, 59 RBIs
What to know: Vargas has emerged as a power hitter with plate discipline in his fifth major league season. His barrel percentage has jumped to 15.4% from 9.4% in 2025. Meanwhile, he rarely chases (21.2% chase rate) and has a 13.7% walk rate, which ranks in the 93rd percentile in the majors.
Randy Arozarena, OF, Mariners
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .286/.380/.458, 11 HR, 45 RBIs
What to know: The Mariners’ lone representative, Arozarena is striking out less (21.6%, down from career 25.4%) and is about 40 points higher in batting average and on-base percentage in putting together a solid age-31 season.
Yandy Díaz, DH, Rays
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: .322/.398/.490, 13 HR, 55 RBIs
What to know: Díaz is having perhaps his best season of an underrated career, blending power with a disciplined approach at the plate. His 13.7% strikeout rate is in the 87th percentile in the majors.
Willson Contreras, 1B, Red Sox
All-Star selections: Fourth
2026 stats: .285/.379/.542, 20 HR, 61 RBIs
What to know: Contreras replaces Vladimir Guerrero Jr. on the AL roster and joins his brother William in the All-Star Game. The 34-year-old is on pace for his best season in his first year in Boston with a career-high .921 OPS.
Ceddanne Rafaela, OF, Red Sox
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .281/.328/.433, 8 HR, 39 RBIs
What to know: Rafaela replaces Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge, who will miss the game with a rib injury. A Gold Glove winner last year, Rafaela’s 3.9 WAR (Baseball Reference) is fourth in MLB among position players. His defensive metrics are elite, highlighted by his outs above average (OAA), which ranks in the 99th percentile.
Munetaka Murakami, 1B, White Sox
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .232/.371/.540, 20 HR, 42 RBIs
What to know: The 26-year-old rookie from Japan is replacing Byron Buxton on the roster. He returned to the White Sox lineup on Friday after missing more than a month with a strained hamstring. Before the injury, he showed tremendous power, with an elite hard hit rate (59.2%) and walk rate (17.8%).
Tristan Peters, OF, White Sox
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .301/.354/.478, 6 HR, 36 RBIs
What to know: Peters replaces Nick Kurtz on the AL roster. A former Savannah Banana, Peters hit for the cycle this season and has proven to be a nice pickup for the White Sox, who acquired him from the Rays over the winter for cash.
NL pitchers
Chase Burns, Reds
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 11-1, 2.54 ERA
What to know: The second pick of the 2024 draft has blossomed in his first full season. His 31.7% whiff rate ranks in the 89th percentile, and his strikeout rate (28.6%) ranks in the 87th percentile.
Jhoan Duran, Phillies
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 1.38 ERA, 24 saves, 0.918 WHIP
What to know: Duran has given the Phillies everything they hoped for when they acquired him at the 2025 trade deadline. His success starts with his four-seamer, which averages 100.2 mph and has held opponents to a .129 batting average against it. His 39.7% strikeout rate is the best of his career.
Raisel Iglesias, Braves
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 2.23 ERA, 19 saves, 1.082 WHIP
What to know: This All-Star selection has been a long time coming for the 12-year veteran Iglesias, who is fourth in the NL in saves. A master of getting hitters to swing at pitches out of the zone, Iglesias, 36, is in the 99th percentile in chase rate (39.5%, a career high).
Jesús Luzardo, Phillies
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 3.51 ERA, 136 strikeouts
What to know: Luzardo replaced the Marlins’ Max Meyer to become the sixth Phillies All-Star. After a rough start to the season when he sported a 5.50 ERA in his first six starts, Luzardo has been a different pitcher since May 1, posting a 2.61 ERA in his last 13 starts.
Braxton Ashcraft, Pirates
All-Star appearances: First
2026 stats: 9-3, 3.49 ERA, 1.112 WHIP
What to know: The 26-year-old Ashcroft, who replaced the Brewers’ Jacob Misiorowski, has been a pleasant surprise for the Pirates this season. He’s allowed one run or fewer in nine of 19 starts. Opponents are batting .140 against his curveball, which has an elite 40.5% whiff rate.
Mason Miller has an 0.98 ERA this season.Gregory Bull
Mason Miller, Padres
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: 0.91 ERA, 25 saves, 0.782 WHIP
What to know: Miller might be the most intimidating closer in the game with a four-seamer that averages 101.3 mph. His slider is the deadliest put-away pitch in the game with a strikeout rate of 59.0%.
Riley O’Brien, Cardinals
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 3.43 ERA, 24 saves
What to know: The 31-year-old O’Brien, who replaced Pirates ace Paul Skenes, is tied for second in the NL with 24 saves. His success is driven by a devastating sweeper, which opponents are batting just .031 against and has led to a 47.9% whiff rate.
Eduardo Rodriguez, Diamondbacks
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: 8-3, 2.29 ERA
What to know: Another NL pitcher who had to wait awhile to make his first All-Star team, Rodriguez has been stellar for Arizona in his 11th season. He has given up one run or fewer in 11 of his 19 starts this season.
Chris Sale, Braves
All-Star selections: 10th
2026 stats: 9-6, 2.20 ERA
What to know: The 37-year-old Sale is still elite, relying on a four-seamer and slider almost 80% of the time. And he can still fool hitters with the best of them — his 35.4% chase rate is in the 92nd percentile of all pitchers.
Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: 11-4, 2.62 ERA, 5.76 SO/BB
What to know: The unlikely ascent from fringe minor leaguer to Cy Young candidate has continued this season and earned him the starting nod for the NL. Sánchez leads all pitchers with 5.7 WAR and didn’t allow a run for 50⅔ innings earlier this season, the most ever for a left-handed pitcher. It all starts with his changeup, against which hitters are batting .167 this season.
Logan Webb, Giants
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: 3.86 ERA, 1.156 WHIP
What to know: Webb, who led the NL in innings the past three years, got off to a rough start to the season. He had a 5.06 ERA in his first eight starts but has turned it around over his last eight with a 2.75 ERA.
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: 9-6, 2.85 ERA, 0.913 WHIP
What to know: Last year’s postseason hero has been just as good as in 2025. In fact, he has lowered his WHIP. He’s also lowered his walk rate to an elite 5.9%, which puts him in the 86th percentile of pitchers.
NL reserves
William Contreras, C, Brewers
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .282/.344/.398, 9 HR, 53 RBIs
What to know: Contreras has been the most productive catcher offensively over the past four seasons. And he’s durable, averaging 149 games in his last three full seasons.
Hunter Goodman, C, Rockies
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: .254/.324/.538, 27 HR, 51 RBIs
What to know: Goodman has developed into one of the best power-hitting catchers in the game over the past two seasons. He’s on his way to a second straight 30-homer season and ranks fifth in the NL in slugging percentage.
Luis Arraez, 2B, Giants
All-Star selections: Fourth
2026 stats: .330/.369/.460, 4 HR, 35 RBIs
What to know: The toughest guy to strike out in baseball, Arraez is a career. 318 hitter, and has led the league in hits twice in his career, and is second this season.
Bryce Harper, 1B, Phillies
All-Star selections: Ninth
2026 stats: .260/.365/.497, 20 HR, 57 RBI
What to know: After coming up short in the fan vote, Harper was “grateful” to be picked for the team by commissioner Rob Manfred. He’s certainly deserving of the spot with an OPS of .862 and his 12th 20-homer season while playing every game. After all, an All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park without the Showman wouldn’t seem like much of a show at all.
Otto Lopez, SS, Marlins
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .334/.368/.505, 9 HR, 45 RBI, 17 SB
What to know: Baseball’s batting leader also is tops in hits (127) and doubles (26) during what has been a career year for the 27-year-old.
Matt Olson, 1B, Braves
All-Star selections: Fourth
2026 stats: .267/.339/.534, 25 HR, 58 RBI
What to know: Olson, who has nine seasons of 20-plus home runs, is having a resurgent power season. His slugging percentage has surged to .534 this season after sitting at a combined .471 in 2024 and 2025. And more than half his batted balls are considered hard hit, putting him in the 93nd percentile among all hitters.
Sal Stewart, INF, Reds
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .256/.338/.474, 19 HR, 65 RBI
What to know: The 22-year-old is one of two rookies to represent the Reds at the All-Star Game, along with pitcher Chase Burns. Stewart, who has played mostly third and first base this season, is seventh in the NL in RBIs.
Corbin Carroll, OF, Diamondbacks
All-Star selections: Third
2026 stats: .252/.347/.478, 13 HR, 45 RBI
What to know: An All-Star for the third time in his four full seasons, the 25-year-old Carroll is having another strong season with an .825 OPS. The speedy outfielder again leads the majors in triples, a crown he was won for four straight seasons.
Pete Crow-Armstrong, OF, Cubs
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: .291/.386/.531, 21 HR, 53 RBI, 24 SB
What to know: Entering June, PCA was batting .231 with a .713 OPS and a 25.6% strikeout rate. Then June rolled around (along with a late-May switch to the leadoff spot), and he took off with an epic month. He posted a 1.249 OPS with 40 hits, 11 home runs and a .381 batting average to surge back into All-Star contention.
Jordan Walker, OF, Cardinals
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .294/.354/.532, 22 HR, 74 RBI
What to know: The 24-year-old Walker is having a breakout season for the surprising Cardinals, and is coming off winning a memorable Home Run Derby. It’s been fueled by elite bat speed (79.2 mph), which trails only Junior Caminero (79.9) as the best in the majors.
James Wood, OF, Nationals
All-Star selections: Second
2026 stats: .279/.410/.575, 28 HR, 64 RBI
What to know: The 23-year-old is having an exceptional offensive season. It’s a combination of solid contact and an elite ability to get on base — he is in the 99th percentile among hitters in hard hit and walk percentages. He’s also been durable, playing in every game this season.
Iván Herrera, DH, Cardinals
All-Star selections: First
2026 stats: .249/.381/.390, 11 HR, 40 RBIs
What to know: Herrera replaces Shohei Ohtani on the NL roster with the Dodgers star dealing with a left knee injury. Herrera’s .381 on-base percentage, boosted by a 12.1% walk rate, is eighth in the National League.
KANSAS CITY, Mo. — Trea Turner crossed over second base, took a throw from Bryson Stott, and sidearmed the ball to first.
Double play, right?
More like double trouble.
Turner uncorked a sinker in the dirt that skipped by diving first baseman Bryce Harper. A run scored. An avalanche followed. Rather than escaping the first inning here Monday, Cristopher Sánchez got blitzed for six runs, the start of a 15-1 Phillies trouncing by the bottom-dwelling Royals.
“That’s a play you’ve got to make,” Turner said. “Who knows how that game ends up if [Sánchez] gets out of there clean and then gets on a roll?”
Who knows? Because with a chance to deliver a series win for the Phillies and a closing argument to be the National League’s starting pitcher next week in the All-Star Game, Sánchez endured the worst start of his career.
The ugly numbers:
3⅓ innings, his shortest (noninjury) start since April 23, 2024
nine runs, career high
12 hits, tied for career high
three homers, career high
“It was not good,” Sánchez said through a team interpreter. “I mean, it was crap what I did today.”
Sánchez repeatedly was over the middle of the plate with his signature changeup. His sinker lacked its peak zip. Each of the homers — Luke Maile’s three-run shot in the first inning and solos by Salvador Perez and Lane Thomas — came on changeups.
A half-dozen Royals hits against Sánchez were scorched at 100 mph or faster off the bat. Sánchez’s ERA climbed from 2.00, second-best in the NL, to 2.62, seventh in the league.
“Yeah, absolutely,” Turner said. “They put some good swings on the ball today. But [Sánchez] has thrown the ball so great this whole year. He could easily put up five, six, seven scoreless, and we could’ve been in it.”
Turner said he “rushed it a little bit” after taking the throw from Stott. It was his 12th error of the season, tied for the third-most among shortstops behind the Nationals’ CJ Abrams and the Angels’ Zach Neto (14 apiece).
Errors aren’t always the truest measure of defense, but modern metrics haven’t favored Turner either. Entering play Monday, he was tied for 32nd among shortstops in outs above average (minus-6) and ranked last in defensive runs saved (minus-8).
Alec Bohm drove in the Phillies’ only run with a double in the first inning.Colin E. Braley
The Phillies haven’t considered moving Turner away from shortstop, especially after last year, when he had one of his best defensive seasons. But given his downturn this season, the questions will be renewed.
“I don’t think this year’s been nearly as good as last,” Turner said. “I feel like just a little sped up. I feel like the game slowed down quite a bit last year. It’s still in there. I feel like I can do it.”
Don Mattingly didn’t want to discuss Turner specifically. But he made clear that the Phillies must convert more balls in play into outs. By most metrics, and through the old-fashioned eye test, they rank among the worst defensive teams in the sport.
“Let’s just say in general, I think defense is always a concern,” Mattingly said. “You want to limit outs. You never know when one out turns into runs at any point in the game.”
Sánchez’s first inning was proof of concept. Instead of being back in the dugout after a scoreless inning, he gave up four consecutive hits: RBI singles from Nick Loftin and Starling Marte, an infield single by Tyler Tolbert, and Maile’s homer, which sent center fielder Derek Hill crashing into the wall.
Kyle Schwarber got ejected by plate umpire Alan Porter after striking out in the sixth inning. Third-string catcher Garrett Stubbs pitched the eighth — and gave up the last two runs and four hits in the Royals’ 22-hit barrage. Mattingly emptied the bench in the middle innings, spring training-style.
And the Phillies dropped the series to the Royals, who have the second-worst record in a bad American League. They’ve lost three of the last four games and five out of nine, with six games left before the All-Star break.
Sánchez will get one more start, Saturday in Detroit, to stake his claim as the first Phillies pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Roy Halladay in 2011.
In the meantime, the Phillies will dive into whether the start against the Royals was a one-off or a reason for concern about the ace lefty, who has worked the second-most innings (120⅓) of any pitcher in the majors.
Mattingly noted that Sánchez struggled in three recent road starts in Milwaukee, Washington, and now Kansas City. Maybe that’s a coincidence. He has always pitched better at home.
“You are looking like, ‘Is he getting ahead in the count; is he getting the ball where he wants to on the plate,’ things like that,” Mattingly said. “That’s what you look at. You’re looking at health. [Is he] tired, even? We’ve asked a lot of him. He’s thrown a lot of innings.”
Sánchez insists everything’s fine. And if Turner makes a better throw to first base, who knows?
“I feel great,” Sánchez said. “That’s why I was a little surprised to have such an outing today. Because, physically, I feel really good.”
In all likelihood, Schwarber will swing away in the Home Run Derby next Monday night on the eve of the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. But the Phillies slugger hasn’t committed yet to the event and figures he’ll have to decide imminently.
“I’m sure they’ll want an answer from me here in the next day or so,” Schwarber said Monday. “I just want to make sure I’m not putting myself in a risky position.”
Schwarber, who leads the majors with 30 home runs, is dealing with a sore lower back that kept him out of the lineup for two games on June 23-24 in Washington. He has started every game since.
But before Schwarber enters the Derby for the third time in his career, he wants to consult with the Phillies’ athletic training staff.
“You want to feel comfortable that you’re going to be able to do it,” he said.
In 2018, Schwarber was runner-up to future teammate Bryce Harper, who won the Derby in Washington in his last year with the Nationals. Four years later, Schwarber didn’t advance beyond the first round of the Derby at Dodger Stadium.
Kyle Schwarber was named All-Star Game MVP last season after winning the first-ever swing-off for the National League.Brynn Anderson
Last year, Schwarber starred in the first-ever swing-off to decide an All-Star Game that was tied after nine innings. He hit three homers in three swings to lead the National League to a victory and take home MVP honors.
Schwarber is a preeminent power hitter in the sport. He has 217 homers since 2022, second-most behind only Aaron Judge (227), and has 370 for his career.
All of that aside, Schwarber and Harper are box-office draws for a Derby in their home ballpark. Harper said his biggest obstacle is finding someone to throw to him. His dad, Ron, pitched to him in 2018 but hasn’t thrown in nearly five years, Harper said.
Schwarber chose a friend, former college baseball player Mike Sinicola, to throw to him in 2018 and 2022. This time, he said he plans to ask a member of the Phillies staff.
The Derby’s new format might influence Schwarber’s decision. Rather than taking as many swings as possible within a time frame, hitters will be limited to 20 swings in the first round and 15 in both the semifinals and final.
“I don’t know how many swings you’d get before, but it felt like a lot,” Schwarber said. “Twenty swings will make it feel not as exhausting.”
The eight-hitter field will take shape over the next few days. Entering the week, Rays third baseman Junior Caminero was the only entry.
Phillies reliever Brad Keller is expected to be reinstated from the injured list Tuesday.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Keller ready to roll
A sight for the bullpen’s sore eyes: Brad Keller rejoined the Phillies here and is expected to be reinstated from the injured list before Tuesday night’s game.
Keller, who made two appearances in triple A, has been sidelined since June 16 with right forearm tendinitis.
In time, Keller figures to reclaim his spot as the primary eighth-inning reliever, the role for which he was signed to a two-year, $22 million contract in the offseason. But Orion Kerkering has pitched well in that role and will continue to see setup opportunities.
“I’m definitely comfortable with Kerk anywhere back there,” interim manager Don Mattingly said. “One thing I’ve tried to do in the past, when you get a guy coming off the IL, you’re probably not firing him into a bases-loaded, no-out situation. You try to give him somewhat of a clean inning, a little bit of a softer landing so to speak.”
But Mattingly also won’t hesitate to bring Keller into high-leverage situations.
“I feel like he’s ready to go,” Mattingly said.
Phillies rookie right fielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. has swung the bat better over the last two weeks.Yong Kim / Staff Photographer
Extra bases
Rookie right fielder Gabriel Rincones Jr. is 6-for-15 with two doubles and a homer over his last five games after going 4-for-36 with 11 strikeouts to begin his major league career. “I think we’re seeing the aggressiveness that we’ve been looking for,” Mattingly said. “He’s a guy that can impact the ball, and when he’s aggressive, he controls the zone for the most part. He’s still going to have bumps and bruises as a young player, but we’re liking the way it looks.” … Zack Wheeler (8-1, 2.36 ERA) is scheduled to face Reds lefty Andrew Abbott (5-4, 3.88) at 7:10 p.m. Tuesday in Cincinnati.
