Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Zack Wheeler is an All-Star snub, and he's far from the lone person who thinks so. Following his ascendant commencement against the Cincinnati Reds connected Tuesday — successful which Wheeler struck retired 14 batters successful a 4-1 win — the ace expressed his feelings astir missing retired connected the honor.
Wheeler, 36, didn't mince words, saying the snub "pisses maine off," per The Athletic. He added, "I consciousness similar I've earned it."
"I felt similar that was a reminder," Wheeler said, "for whoever needs to beryllium reminded. It pisses maine off. It's benignant of B.S. Maybe if I wasn't needfully close successful [the All-Star mix], I wouldn't beryllium saying this. But I consciousness similar I've earned it."
He's not wrong. Wheeler has been fantastic this play aft coming backmost from thoracic outlet decompression surgery. Through 14 starts, helium has a 2.28 ERA and has struck retired 98 batters successful 87 innings. Despite getting a precocious commencement to the play owed to his recovery, Wheeler already ranks eighth among pitchers successful bWAR.
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Wheeler isn't the only one who believes helium should beryllium astatine the 2026 All-Star Game. Shortly aft rosters were announced, Wheeler's cause — B.B. Abbott — called it "tone deaf" that the pitcher was near retired of the mix.
To marque matters worse, the 2026 All-Star Game volition beryllium held astatine Citizens Bank Park successful Philadelphia. While 5 Phillies were selected for the crippled and volition play successful beforehand of their hometown fans, Wheeler won't get that honor.
There is, of course, inactive a mode for Wheeler to beryllium named to the All-Star team. Between present and Sunday, galore players volition apt driblet retired of the festivities owed to injury, remainder oregon different reasons. But adjacent that comes with a drawback for Wheeler.
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Because he's acceptable to instrumentality the mound Sunday, Wheeler would — by regularisation — not beryllium capable to transportation successful the All-Star Game. That makes it improbable he'll beryllium asked to beryllium a replacement for the contest.
Despite that, Wheeler said helium would beryllium consenting to marque himself eligible to propulsion an inning successful the All-Star Game, adjacent if helium takes the mound for the Phillies connected Sunday, per CBSSports.com.
"I consciousness good the 2nd and 3rd days [after a start], erstwhile I usually propulsion my bullpen," Wheeler added arsenic helium made his lawsuit to transportation successful the All-Star Game. "So I'd beryllium good throwing an inning, but it's not adjacent an option, I guess."
Throughout the past of the sport, determination person been immoderate high-profile All-Star snubs. That's going to hap erstwhile you person truthful galore talented players vying for a prime fewer roster spots.
But if Wheeler tin support pitching astatine this level, helium could go the uncommon pitcher who wins the Cy Young Award contempt not making the All-Star team. At this point, that mightiness beryllium the champion payback Wheeler tin get aft missing retired connected the All-Star festivities.
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