The 2026 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled to begin on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET. Leading the American League will be Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider. He earned the honor after bringing his team to the World Series last season.
However, he wasn't the only Blue Jay to earn the honor. Toronto had several players earn an All-Star nod, including starting pitcher Dylan Cease, second baseman Ernie Clement, first basemanVladimir Guerrero Jr. and relief pitcher Louis Varland.
Of course, as the AL manager, Schneider was tasked with choosing the AL's starting pitcher. While there were a handful of talented options, he settled on Cease.
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While his decision to choose one of his own players has brought some controversy, Schneider believes it is well deserved. While speaking to the media on Monday, the skipper revealed why he ultimately picked Cease.
“There was a lot of categories that he was either at the top or second in, and I think that’s what tipped it… Part of it was me seeing him up close every day, but we get to see a lot of guys up close, Schneider said. “I think Dylan’s performance made him very deserving of this honor.”
Among AL qualified starting pitchers, Cease does rank third in ERA (2.56), first in strikeouts (148), first in FIP (2.19), first in opponent batting average (.189) and first in WAR (3.7), according to FanGraphs.
While Schneider's decision to have the right-hander start the game will continue to be a point of conversation, it's clear that the skipper believes the opportunity was earned. With some impressive numbers, it's clear Cease makes a strong case as one of the AL's top starting pitchers.
