The 2026 MLB All-Star Game was a showcase of exceptional talent, with some of the lesser-known pitchers on both the American League (AL) and National League (NL) rosters making a significant impact on the game.

The Story of the Game

The game began with three runs in the top of the first inning, but it was quiet after that. The AL’s Cristopher Sánchez, a Cy Young candidate, pitched well, but the NL managed to get three runs off him. Miguel Vargas of the AL hit a solo homer in the eighth inning, but it was too little, too late. The AL won the game 4-0, with the NL’s pitchers struggling to contain the AL’s offense.

One of the most striking aspects of the game was the absence of big-name pitchers. Justin Verlander, a legend, was not available to pitch, while Gerrit Cole, who is coming off Tommy John surgery, has not been great this season. Zack Wheeler declined an invitation, and Chris Sale, who has pitched in six All-Star Games, did not appear in this one. Yoshinobu Yamamoto, fresh off winning the World Series MVP last season, also did not pitch, as did Chase Burns, Paul Skenes, Cam Schlittler, and Jacob Misiorowski.

The AL’s Shutout

The AL’s pitchers combined to throw a shutout, with Dylan Cease, a first-time All-Star, striking out three hitters in a scoreless first inning. Parker Messick, another first-timer, pitched a perfect second inning, despite only having made 26 career starts. Michael Wacha, who was a big name in the mid-2010s, but has not been an All-Star since 2015, pitched a perfect third inning, striking out two hitters. Joe Ryan, who is now a two-time All-Star, pitched around one hit in a scoreless fourth inning, while Nick Martinez, who was signed by the Rays on a one-year deal in the offseason, threw a perfect fifth inning.

Cade Smith, a closer for the Guardians, pitched a perfect inning, striking out two hitters, while Drew Rasmussen, a two-time All-Star, pitched ⅔ of an inning, retiring all three hitters he faced. Jacob Latz, a closer for the Rangers, who spent parts of eight seasons in the minors before finally making it to the majors, pitched a perfect inning, retiring the only batter he faced. Louis Varland, a first-time All-Star in his fifth season, pitched around a single in a scoreless eighth inning, while Bryan Baker, a first-time All-Star, got the final out of the game.

The NL’s Big-Name Closers

The ninth inning did feature three big-name closers, but by that point, half the crowd had left the stadium, and the energy had been sucked out of Citizens Bank Park. Mason Miller of the Padres and Joan Duran of the Phillies combined for three outs in the top half of the inning, before Red Sox veteran Aroldis Chapman threw for the AL. Despite the lack of big-name pitchers, the lesser-known players on the AL roster stole the show, pitching a shutout and earning the win.

Quotes and Insights

Jacob Misiorowski, who was scratched from his last scheduled start, said that he thought it was a little more fun not to have to pitch in the All-Star Game.