Boy, the National League could’ve used Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night.
Wheeler — who’s 10-1 entering the All-Star Game, tied for the fifth-best starting record in baseball — was initially snubbed from the All-Star Game against the American League for a bogus reason. He started in a 5-0 win over the Detroit Tigers on Sunday. Pitchers who start the Sunday before the All-Star Game are prohibited from playing. He later received an invitation but rejected it.
“They disrespected me, so I’m just not going to participate in that thing,” Wheeler told NBC Sports Philadelphia on Saturday (h/t Field Level Media).
The NL wishes he did. Its pitching flopped without the Cy Young candidate.
NL struggles without Zack Wheeler
Wheeler’s teammate, Cristopher Sanchez, started the All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. He was deserving of that nod. Entering the All-Star Game, he’s tied for the second-best starting record (11-4) in baseball and ranks ninth in ERA (2.62). However, he didn’t look like himself in the contest.
He allowed three runs in the top of the first inning. According to The Athletic’s Matt Gelb, he has only allowed that many runs just six times in 43 starts at Citizens Bank Park since 2024.