​Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies will be the starting pitcher for the National League in the All-Star Game, pitching at his home ballpark against the Toronto Blue Jays’ pitcher Dylan Cease, who will start for the American League. The Blue Jays announced Cease as the AL’s starter, while Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers — managing the NL — named Sánchez as his starter. “I think he deserves it. He’s the hometown ballplayer, and I believe the city of Philly will enjoy watching him and showing their support,” Roberts said. “I spoke with him this morning. He was very grateful. In a year when some players aren’t eager to participate, this guy is embracing the Midsummer Classic for the fans, and I think that’s a good thing. He’s thrilled to pitch.”
Meanwhile, Yankees manager Aaron Boone initially indicated that Cam Schlittler would not pitch in the All-Star Game, but hours later suggested the right-hander could be available after all. With less than 72 hours remaining before the game, there was no plan to replace Schlittler on the AL roster if he opted out of pitching. “The staff has dealt with a lot of injuries this year, and I don’t want to risk letting the team down,” Schlittler said after New York’s win at Washington. “I’m on the roster, and if they need me I’ll throw. That’s a conversation I’ll have in the next day or two.” Schlittler, who led the American League with a 2.05 ERA, was a candidate to start and pitched for the Yankees over the weekend.
Sánchez is currently 11-4 with a 2.62 ERA this season and ranks third in the majors with 144 strikeouts. The left-hander also posted a notable streak of 50 2/3 scoreless innings, one of the season’s highlights. Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski — who led the majors in ERA (1.62), WHIP (0.76), and strikeouts (167) — was initially replaced on the All-Star team after it appeared he would start for the Brewers, but he was later scratched from that start due to arm fatigue. Cease, 6-4 with a 2.56 ERA for the Blue Jays, nearly pitched a second career no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants, a bid that was broken up in the ninth inning.
Cease became the first Toronto pitcher to start the All-Star Game since Roy Halladay in 2009. He learned of the assignment from his manager, John Schneider — who will manage the AL squad — during a team meeting before the series finale against San Diego. “It’s pretty surreal. I didn’t know what to say. Everyone’s asking for a speech, and I was kind of speechless, so it’s just a really cool experience,” Cease said. “It’s amazing how everything has lined up, even being able to pitch in it and having a strong enough first half to be considered, and the fact that most of our entire staff is going to be there makes this a truly great combination.” Cease added that the moment feels especially meaningful given the chance to represent both himself and his organization in one of baseball’s showcase events.