Philadelphia Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez will be the starting pitcher for the National League in Tuesday’s MLB all-star game at 8 p.m. ET at his home stadium, facing off against Toronto Blue Jays’ Dylan Cease. Cease, with a 6-4 record and a 2.56 ERA, was named as the American League’s starting pitcher by the Blue Jays on Sunday. Dave Roberts, the manager for the NL from the Los Angeles Dodgers, confirmed Sanchez as his choice.
Cease, who almost completed his second career no-hitter against San Francisco last Wednesday, had his bid broken in the ninth inning. He is the first Blue Jays pitcher to start an all-star game since Roy Halladay in 2009.
Sanchez, with an impressive record of 11-4 and a 2.62 ERA this season, ranks third in the majors with 144 strikeouts. His notable achievement of a 50 2/3 scoreless innings streak has been a highlight of the current major league season. Roberts expressed his belief that Sanchez deserves the starting position due to his local connection and expects the city of Philadelphia to support him enthusiastically.
In related news, Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers, leading the majors in ERA, WHIP, and strikeouts, was replaced on the all-star team due to arm fatigue. Additionally, the New York Yankees’ Cam Schlittler initially was not planning to pitch but may be available after all. As the game approaches, there is uncertainty about a replacement for the AL roster if Schlittler opts out, given the team’s injury concerns. Schlittler, who boasts an AL-leading ERA of 2.05, is considering his participation based on team needs.