Philadelphia Phillies' fans received the news that they have been hoping for for weeks, on Sunday.
Ace left-handed pitcher Cristopher Sánchez will be the starting pitcher for the 2026 All-Star Game in his home stadium of Citizens Bank Park.
The 2025 National League Cy Young runner-up jumped right back into his dominance in 2026.
Through 20 starts, Sánchez has posted a 2.62 ERA with 144 strikeouts, 25 walks and a complete game shutout in 127 1/3 innings. During this season, the 29-year-old pitched a 50 2/3 innings scoreless streak, establishing a Phillies franchise record
With his selection, Sánchez becomes the first Phillie to start the All-Star Game since Roy Halladay started in the 2011 Midsummer Classic.
Sánchez ran into a rough pitching stretch close to the All-Star break, including a game where he allowed nine earned runs in 3 1/3 innings.
However, Saturday's seven inning start with seven strikeouts and only two runs allowed seemed to snap him out of his funk.
With the NL Cy Young frontrunner of Brewers' Jacob Misiorowski missing his last start due to fatigue, Sánchez was the clear option to start in his home ballpark.
Sánchez will face off against the American League's star-studded lineup on Tuesday during the 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia.
