Zack Wheeler Slams MLB All-star Snub After Dominating Reds
WHO:
Sportskeeda - Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies pitcher
MLB.com - J.T. Realmuto, Phillies catcher; Don Mattingly, Phillies interim manager; Elly De La Cruz, Reds player; Terry Francona, Reds manager
WHAT:
MLB.com - Wheeler stated, "I’d be OK with it," regarding his potential availability to pitch in the All-Star Game despite his scheduled start on Sunday.
MLB.com - Wheeler's record stands at 9-1 with a 2.28 ERA, and he is tied for second in MLB with 4.3 bWAR, alongside Jacob Misiorowski and Chase Burns.
MLB.com - Wheeler expressed, "It ticks me off," regarding his exclusion from the All-Star roster.
MLB.com - Wheeler became the sixth pitcher in Phillies history to achieve 14 or more strikeouts without issuing a walk in a game, joining Vince Velasquez, Cliff Lee, Curt Schilling, Terry Mulholland, and Jim Bunning.
MLB.com - The 2026 All-Star Game is scheduled to take place on July 14, 2026.
MLB.com - Wheeler stated, "I’d be OK with it," regarding his potential availability to pitch in the All-Star Game despite his scheduled start on Sunday.
MLB.com - Wheeler is tied for second in MLB with 4.3 bWAR, alongside Jacob Misiorowski and Chase Burns, despite missing the first month of the season due to surgery.
MLB.com - Wheeler's teammate Cristopher Sánchez leads with a 5.0 bWAR.
MLB.com - Wheeler expressed, "I feel fine the second and third days [after a start]," explaining his belief that he could pitch in the All-Star Game.
Sportskeeda - Zack Wheeler called the All-Star Game snub "frustrating" and referred to the pitching schedule rule as "BS."
NY Post - Wheeler expressed, "It pisses me off," regarding his exclusion from the All-Star roster.
MLB.com - Wheeler became the sixth pitcher in Phillies history to achieve 14 or more strikeouts without issuing a walk in a game.
MLB.com - The Phillies currently have six players named to the NL All-Star team: Bryce Harper, Kyle Schwarber, Cristopher Sánchez, Jhoan Duran, Brandon Marsh, and Jesús Luzardo.
Sportskeeda - Zack Wheeler expressed frustration over being left off the 2026 MLB All-Star Game roster.
NY Post - Wheeler struck out 14 batters in a game against the Reds.
MLB.com - Wheeler achieved a career-high tying 14 strikeouts in a game, allowing four hits and one run in seven innings.
MLB.com - The Phillies won the game against the Reds 4-1.
MLB.com - Wheeler's record stands at 9-1 with a 2.28 ERA.
WHERE:
MLB.com - Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati
WHEN:
MLB.com - The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled to take place on July 11, 2026.
MLB.com - Wheeler will start a game on Sunday, which makes him ineligible for the All-Star Game.
WHY:
MLB.com - Wheeler's desire to pitch in the All-Star Game is motivated by the significance of the event being held at Citizens Bank Park and his comeback from surgery.
MLB.com - Wheeler believes he earned an All-Star selection but was overlooked due to the scheduling conflict of pitching on the Sunday before the All-Star Game.
MLB.com - Wheeler believes he earned an All-Star selection but was overlooked due to the scheduling conflict of pitching on the Sunday before the All-Star Game.
MLB.com - Mattingly noted that Wheeler does not receive national attention compared to other players.
HOW:
MLB.com - Phillies pitching coach Caleb Cotham mentioned that Wheeler typically throws his bullpen session the second or third day after a start, indicating that Tuesday could serve as a bullpen session for him.
MLB.com - Wheeler struck out four of his first five batters and five of his first ten using various pitches, including sweepers and splitters.
MLB.com - Wheeler pitched with an edge, striking out four of his first five batters and using various pitches effectively, including four-seam fastballs, sinkers, and splitters.
MLB.com - The confusion over a baserunning rule led to ejections of Phillies coaches after a review of a play involving De La Cruz.
Zack Wheeler has expressed his frustration over being left off the All-Star roster, stating, "It ticks me off," but he also mentioned he would be okay with pitching in the game despite his scheduled start on Sunday. Currently, Wheeler boasts an impressive record of 9 wins and 1 loss with a 2.28 ERA, and he is tied for second in MLB with a 4.3 bWAR, alongside Jacob Misiorowski and Chase Burns. In a standout performance, he became the sixth pitcher in Phillies history to record 14 or more strikeouts without issuing a walk in a game, joining the ranks of legends like Curt Schilling and Jim Bunning, as the 2026 All-Star Game approaches on July 14, 2026.