Philadelphia Phillies pitchers shine amid All-Star snub controversy

Jesús Luzardo delivered a dominant performance for the Philadelphia Phillies, pitching seven shutout innings with 11 strikeouts in a 1‑0 win that gave the team a 2‑1 series victory over the Cincinnati Reds. The left‑hander, a first‑time All‑Star, improved his record to 8‑4 with a 3.51 ERA.

Zack Wheeler also excelled against the Reds, striking out a season‑high 14 batters over seven innings in a 4‑1 victory, bringing his record to 9‑1 with a 2.28 ERA. Despite his performance, MLB’s new rule barring pitchers who start the Sunday before the All‑Star break from the game excluded him from the upcoming All‑Star Game in Philadelphia. Wheeler called the rule "BS" and his agent labeled the decision "tone‑deaf," while the Phillies will still be represented by other players at the event.