Cristopher Sanchez to start NL in All-Star Game at Philadelphia

Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies has been named the National League’s starting pitcher for the 2026 MLB All‑Star Game, which will be held at Citizens Bank Park – his home ballpark. Sánchez enters the midsummer classic with an 11‑4 record, a 2.62 ERA and 144 strikeouts over 127 ⅓ innings. He set a major‑league record for left‑handers with a 50 ⅔‑inning scoreless streak and posts a dominant 0.86 ERA at home this season.

Dylan Cease of the Toronto Blue Jays will start for the American League. Cease is 6‑4 with a 2.56 ERA, leads the AL with 148 strikeouts and recently carried a no‑hitter into the ninth inning. He becomes the first Blue Jays pitcher to open an All‑Star Game since Roy Halladay in 2009.

Both starters were selected by their league managers – Dave Roberts for the NL and John Schneider for the AL – with Roberts noting, “He’s the hometown ballplayer and I think the city of Philly will enjoy watching him.” The game marks Sánchez’s first All‑Star start in front of a Philadelphia crowd and a career milestone for both pitchers.