Game #89: Marlins at Athletics Game Thread

Jun 23, 2026; San Francisco, California, USA; Athletics pitcher Aaron Civale (45) throws during the first inning against the San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park. Mandatory Credit: Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images | Sergio Estrada-Imagn Images

Happy Fourth of July everyone! Anyone else ready for some fireworks tonight?

First we got a game to take care of. The A’s host the Marlins for the second of three during this holiday weekend. It’s Aaron Civale on the mound tonight for the Fourth, hoping to get the A’s back in the win column.

The A’s lineup tonight:

The Marlins meanwhile are countering Civale with former Cy Young winner Sandy Alcantara. He’s not the same pitcher he was pre-injury but he can still shut down a lineup on any given day of the week.

And the Marlins’ starting nine:

Let’s go A’s!

Follow the Game:
Watch:
Athletics – NBCSCA

Listen:
Talk 650 KSTE, KVMX 92.1/105.5, A’s Cast

2026 MLB All-Star Game: Full rosters for American and National Leagues

The full rosters for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game were revealed on Saturday, July 4.

The 96th edition of the Midsummer Classic will be held at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday, July 14.

The Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers and the host Philadelphia Phillies are sending five players apiece to the All-Star Game, tied for the most in the league.

Here are the full All-Star rosters for the American and National Leagues:

American League

Starters

  • C: Shea Langeliers, Athletics
  • 1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays*
  • 2B: Ernie Clement, Blue Jays
  • 3B: Junior Caminero, Rays
  • SS: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
  • OF: Mike Trout, Angels
  • OF: Byron Buxton, Twins
  • OF: Aaron Judge, Yankees
  • DH: Yordan Alvarez, Astros

Pitchers

  • Bryan Baker, Rays
  • Dylan Cease, Blue Jays
  • Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox
  • Jacob Latz, Rangers
  • Parker Messick, Guardians
  • Drew Rasmussen, Rays
  • Joe Ryan, Twins
  • Cam Schlittler, Yankees
  • Cade Smith, Guardians
  • Ranger Suarez, Red Sox
  • Louis Varland, Blue Jays
  • Michael Wacha, Royals

Reserves

  • Catcher: Dillon Dingler, Tigers
  • Catcher: Adley Rutschman, Orioles
  • Infielder: Travis Bazzana, Guardians
  • Infielder: Nick Kurtz, Athletics
  • Infielder: Kevin McGonigle, Tigers
  • Infielder: Ben Rice, Yankees
  • Infielder: Miguel Vargas, White Sox
  • Outfielder: Randy Arozarena, Mariners
  • Outfielder: Cody Bellinger, Yankees
  • Outfielder: Riley Greene, Tigers
  • Designated hitter: Yandy Díaz, Rays

National League

Starters

  • C: Drake Baldwin, Braves
  • 1B: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
  • 2B: Ozzie Albies, Braves
  • 3B: Max Muncy, Dodgers
  • SS: CJ Abrams, Nationals
  • OF: Brandon Marsh, Phillies
  • OF: Juan Soto, Mets
  • OF: Andy Pages, Dodgers
  • DH: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers

Pitchers

  • Chase Burns, Reds
  • Jhoan Duran, Phillies
  • Raisel Iglesias, Braves
  • Max Meyer, Marlins
  • Mason Miller, Padres
  • Jacob Misiorowski, Brewers
  • Eduardo Rodriguez, Diamondbacks
  • Chris Sale, Braves
  • Cristopher Sánchez, Phillies
  • Paul Skenes, Pirates
  • Logan Webb, Giants
  • Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers

Reserves

  • Catcher: William Contreras, Brewers
  • Catcher: Hunter Goodman, Rockies
  • Infielder: Luis Arraez, Giants
  • Infielder: Bryce Harper, Phillies
  • Infielder: Otto Lopez, Marlins
  • Infielder: Matt Olson, Braves
  • Infielder: Sal Stewart, Reds
  • Outfielder: Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks
  • Outfielder: Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs
  • Outfielder: Jordan Walker, Cardinals
  • Outfielder: James Wood, Nationals
  • Designated hitter: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies

*Will not participate in All-Star Game.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 2026 MLB All-Star Game: Full rosters for American and National Leagues

Dillon Dingler, Riley Greene, and Kevin McGonigle named to AL All-Star squad

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA - MARCH 26: Kevin McGonigle congratulates Dillon Dingler #13 of the Detroit Tigers after his two run homerrun during the fifth inning of a game against the San Diego Padres on Opening Day at Petco Park on March 26, 2026 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The final rosters for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game were announced on Saturday evening, and finally the Detroit Tigers got some justice. Dillon Dingler, the best catcher in baseball this season, was named to the team as a reserve behind leading vote getter Shea Langeliers. Rookie phenon Kevin McGonigle, like Dingler a top ten position player in the major leagues this season, was also named as a reserve at the shortstop behind the Kansas City Royals’ Bobby Witt Jr, while Riley Greene made the reserve squad for this third straight All-Star Game appearance.

The reserves are selected by a player ballot, with several Commissioner’s Office selections rounding out the roster for the Mid-Summer Classic to ensure that every team has a representative.

Dingler is currently 3rd in all baseball in terms of fWAR for position players. The 27-year-old backstop has already been one of the best defensive catchers in the game for two seasons, but this year the bat caught up and its been nothing but fireworks at the plate. Dingler has 19 homers on the year already after hitting 13 in all of 2025. His 133 wRC+ mark is a career best as well. He grades out as the third best blocker, and the second best pitch framer in baseball, and he’s adapted wonderfully to the ABS challenge system as well. The Tigers finally have the all-around monster catcher of their dreams. He’s the first Tigers catcher in 15 years to make the All-Star Game.

Riley Greene will be making his third straight All-Star Game appearance this year. The left fielder has played in all but one game this season and after a sluggish start in power department, now has 12 homers after a big month of June. He holds a .375 on-base percentage and a 133 wRC+ on the year.

The 21-year-old McGonigle has been a revelation this season, even to those of who have predicted eventual greatness throughout his brief minor league career. He’s improved defensively and is playing a solid shortstop while getting a bit of work at third base as well. He’s also showing off the best speed of his career. Combine all that with his elite eye and contact ability, producing a .394 on-base percentage, more walks than strikeouts, and a 135 wRC+ and you have one heck of a player. McGonigle becomes the first Tigers player since Mark Fidyrich to make the Midsummer Classic as a 21-year-old, and the only other Tiger to do that was Mr. Al Kaline. Incredible stuff from the Kid this season.

He’ll be joined by three other rookies. The Guardians’ Travis Bazzana and right-hander Parker Messick made the cut, as well as the Cincinnati Reds’ rookie first baseman, Sal Stewart.

We all know the All-Star Game can be a bit of a joke in terms of the voting process. Even so, it’s still a milestone achievement for any player, especially a rookie. The three Tigers are right among the best players in the game, and so it’s only fitting that they get to head to Philadelphia together.

Even better for McGonigle is the fact that he grew up in the area, graduating from Monsignor Bonner High School in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania. He grew up a Phillies fan, rooting for Chase Utley and modeling his game after the great second baseman. No doubt it will be a special thrill for McGonigle to play the first of many All-Star games in his career at Citizens Bank Park.

Congratulations to all three Tigers’ All-Stars!

Randy Arozarena Named to 2026 American League All-Star Team

ATLANTA, GA - JULY 14: Randy Arozarena #56 of the Seattle Mariners poses for a photo during the 2025 MLB All-Star player photo shoot at Truist Park on Monday, July 14, 2025 in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Rob Tringali/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images

Randy Arozarena will likely be the Mariners lone representative at the All-Star game in 2026.

Major League Baseball announced on Saturday the initial rosters for the American and National League All-Star teams. This included each team’s starting lineup (chosen by fans) as well as their pitchers and reserves (chosen by players and the commissioner’s office).

Arozarena was the only Mariner named to the team for the AL. He was not selected by fan vote, nor did any Mariners players make it to the second phase of fan voting. But he’s a deserving All-Star nonetheless, ranking fifth among AL outfielders with 2.3 fWAR. He’s been the Mariners most valuable hitter with a 141 wRC+ (.280/.370/.436) and their most valuable base runner (19 stolen bases and 2.2 BsR). No matter what flavor of WAR you use, Arozarena is on track to have his most valuable season as a big-leaguer should current trends hold, something he credits to fully buying in to the Mariners’ approach of using the whole field.

“This year, I came with a different approach,” Arozarena said through team interpreter Freddy Llanos. “I’ve been listening a lot more to the hitting coaches, coming in with a plan and sticking to that plan, and you’ve seen teh results this season. Before, I think I would just go out there and every pitch, my mentality was, hit this ball out of the ballpark.

Now, I’ve been able to use the middle of the field, hit the ball around and make those adjustments. Now I’m going up there and thinking, where can I place this ball, and trying to use all my tools that I can to place that ball in that spot.“

Rosters were announced on Sunday at 4:30 p.m. At about 1:45 p.m., Arozarena capped his bid with a massive grand slam to push the Mariners past the Blue Jays. He also doubled earlier in the game.

It’s Arozarena’s third All-Star selection and second with the Mariners. Last year, he was named to the team after Julio Rodríguez declined to participate.

“I think this [selection] for me is the one that feels a little more special,” said Arozarena. “I see it as a mixture of all the discipline, all the hard work, everything I’ve done, but also all the teammates that have helped me, the fans, especially the fans – I use them as a motor to energize me when I’m out there, I’m able to identify with them, and they’re able to identify with me. So when you get a recognition like this, you kind of look at it in terms of all the hard work and all these little aspects that come together to make something like this happen.”

Speaking of Julio, he was not named to the team after making it in three of his first four years as a big leaguer. Neither was Cal Raleigh, who received the second most votes in the AL just last year. In fact, no other Mariners were selected, reflecting what’s been a frustrating, injury-plagued season in Seattle.

One could argue Bryan Woo deserved a nod. He leads the Mariners with 2.7 fWAR, good enough for sixth in the AL as of Saturday morning. But Woo’s 4.17 ERA (driven by severe home-road splits) likely hurt his chances. Logan Gilbert, Emerson Hancock, and George Kirby are each having better seasons by more traditional metrics, though none rank in the top 10 by ERA.

It’s possible more Mariners will eventually make the team as other players get hurt and opt out. How does that work? I defer to the MLB All-Star selection process FAQ:

Who picks the replacements for injured players or those who decline to participate?
If a fan-elected starter is unable to play, they are replaced in the starting lineup by the player on the roster who received the next most votes on the player ballot at their position. The roster replacement is then chosen by the league.

If a player-elected reserve position player must be replaced, the next in line on the player ballot becomes a reserve, unless the leaders of the player ballot have already been accounted for. If the top finishers on the player ballot are already All-Stars, then MLB can select another replacement.

If no other Mariners are selected, it will be the first time since 2021 Seattle has sent just one player (Yusei Kikuchi). Last year, they sent seven.

The All-Star Game will take place on July 14 at Citizen’s Bank Park in Philadelphia. The game will be broadcast on FOX at 5 p.m. PT.

Dodgers sending four more players to MLB All-Star Game, tie for most selections

Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages makes a sliding catch against the Baltimore Orioles on June 19.
Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages makes a sliding catch against the Baltimore Orioles on June 19. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages had been hearing from teammates for weeks that he would be selected as an All-Star. But he wasn’t as bullish.

“I wanted to participate, but that wasn’t in my control. I didn’t want to put it out there until I knew it was for sure,” Pages said in Spanish.

On Saturday it became official. Pages was selected as an All-Star for the first time. After coming so close in 2025, he’s set to start for the National League.

“It’s exciting to be able to participate in my first one,” Pages said. “I’m really proud of the work that I’ve been doing and to have the opportunity.”

Read more:How Dodgers' Max Muncy, vying for his third All-Star selection, continues to evolve

Pages is one of five Dodgers on the National League squad. Third baseman Max Muncy (third All-Star selection), first baseman Freddie Freeman (10th) and Yoshinobu Yamamoto (second) were named to the NL roster Saturday. Shohei Ohtani (sixth) was named an All-Star on June 25 after leading the majors in Phase 1 voting.

It marks the first time since 1980 that the Dodgers have had four All-Star starters. Their five All-Star selections ties the Atlanta Braves and Philadelphia Phillies for the most in the majors.

Muncy is set to be the first Dodger to start the All-Star Game at third base since Ron Cey in 1977.

Though Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski (10-2, 2.80 ERA) was not named an All-Star, he could play as a possible injury replacement.

The All-Star Game will be played July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

Ohtani feeling better

Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani pumps his fist after getting San Diego's Manny Machado to ground out.
Dodgers pitcher Shohei Ohtani pumps his fist after getting San Diego's Manny Machado to ground out in the fifth inning Friday. (Gina Ferazzi / Los Angeles Times)

Ohtani was feeling “considerably better” Saturday, after leaving Friday’s game in the seventh inning with tight right biceps.

“If things trend the way we would expect, then he’ll be in there [Sunday],” manager Dave Roberts said.

Ohtani wasn’t in the starting lineup against the Padres on Saturday, but Roberts left open the possibility that he could be available off the bench depending on “how the day goes.” Roberts didn’t expect the biceps problem to affect Ohtani’s throwing schedule between pitching starts, especially because he aggravated it on a swing.

The Dodgers, however, could still decide to have Ohtani skip his last pitching start before the All-Star break.

“The first step is how he feels tomorrow, and then the days forthcoming,” Roberts said. “So we don’t need to make that decision today, tomorrow, the next day. So we have time. And I think for us it’s just more of reading and reacting on how he feels.”

Sign up for more Dodgers news with Dodgers Dugout. Delivered at the start of each series.

This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.

Misiorowski, Contreras named to NL All-Star Team

Jun 20, 2025; Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA; Milwaukee Brewers starting pitcher Jacob Misiorowski (32) talks with catcher William Contreras (24) after giving up his first base runner in the seventh inning agaistn the Minnesota Twins at Target Field. Mandatory Credit: Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images | Jesse Johnson-Imagn Images

The Milwaukee Brewers’ prominent battery, Jacob Misiorowski and William Contreras, has been named to the National League All-Star Team.

Misiorowski famously made last year’s All-Star Game (as a way-down-the-line injury replacement, it should be said) having made just five major-league appearances. If there were questions over whether he’d earned that last year, there obviously are not this year. Miz leads the majors in ERA (1.47), strikeouts (156), FIP (1.97), WHIP (0.779), and hits per nine (4.7). He is one of the top contenders for National League Cy Young, and his selection was a no-brainer.

Contreras has been selected to his third All-Star Game. He previously made it with the Braves in 2022 and the Brewers in 2024. Contreras got off to a bit of a slow start offensively but he’s hitting for a high average, and has added some pop lately. He’s also one of a trio of Brewers with over 50 RBI; he and Brice Turang have 51 each, just behind team leader Jake Bauers (52).

At least before the usual cavalcade of injury replacements come down the line, the Brewers have just two All-Stars despite holding the second-best record in baseball. The other two teams atop the National League, the Braves and Dodgers, both have five All-Star selections, as do the hometown Phillies (who are six games back of the Brewers); other teams in the NL who have two include the Nationals, Giants, Reds, Marlins, and Diamondbacks.

Players we can count as snubs include second baseman Brice Turang, first baseman Jake Bauers, starting pitcher Kyle Harrison, and reliever Trevor Megill. The fan voting played at least some role, here; the inclusion of Ozzie Albies as the NL’s starting second baseman created a numbers crunch that hurt Turang, who had a far more deserving case than Albies did. He’s probably the most egregious omission, but a case could’ve been made for any of these other guys, and maybe even for Jackson Chourio, even though he missed six weeks.

Harrison, at least, should make the team as a replacement, given how many pitchers tend to drop out these days. There will probably be some national dialogue about how the Brewers are underrepresented, so I wouldn’t be surprised if several Brewers will be near the top of Rob Manfred’s list of players to add as injury replacements.

Regardless of whether or not we should care, this certainly won’t help to dispute the notion that the Brewers are overlooked and under-appreciated. Pat Murphy will certainly find a way to use it as fuel.

The All-Star Game is on Tuesday, July 14th in Philadelphia.

San Francisco Giants, Colorado Rockies game delayed due to weather — New start time: 6:55 pm

DENVER, CO - JULY 13: Lightning strikes behind Coors Field during a rain delay before a baseball game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Colorado Rockies on July 13, 2019 in Denver, Colorado.(Photo by Julio Aguilar/Getty Images) | Getty Images

The San Francisco Giants and Colorado Rockies were scheduled to have first pitch at 6:10pm MT.

However, the game has been delayed due to lightning with fans being instructed to clear the upper deck, Rockpile, and Rooftop.

Follow along here for details as they become available!

UPDATE: 6:06 pm

No word yet, but the grounds crew is going for the tarp, and it’s raining.

UPDATE: 6:16 pm

The tarp is coming up as the crowd cheers.

UPDATE: 6:21 pm

First pitch will be at 6:55 pm.


Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Please keep in mind our Purple Row Community Guidelines when you’re commenting. Thanks!

Mets' Juan Soto makes 2026 MLB All-Star Game

Juan Soto is an All-Star for the first time as a Met.

Selected by the fans, the Mets' 27-year-old outfielder was named to his fifth career All-Star Game and will make his second Midsummer Classic start.

"It's great," Soto said of joining the National League for the July 14 game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. "This is a great feeling. It's really fun to be in the summer with so many talented players in the All-Star Game. It's going to be fun."

Soto entered Saturday's game at the Atlanta Braves leading the NL with a .971 OPS and .406 on-base percentage.

"I mean, it's always a new day," he said of his focus level despite the Mets' 2026 season not going according to plan. "It's always a new day. Forget about what is going on, what happened for the past month and focus on today. That's one of the things that's helped me most to stay consistent. Come every day to win a ballgame. It doesn't matter if you win or lose last night. We focus on what we can do today."

Before the Mets faced the Braves, Soto ranked second in the NL in slugging (.565), eighth in batting average (.297) and tied for ninth in home runs (18).

"I think that's what makes him really special," interim manager Andy Green said of Soto. "Certainly, everybody's numbers tend to be better when your team is performing well. I think that's contagious. I think everybody feeds off one another. I think we help each other by playing really well and doing our jobs well. He hasn't had that and he's still leading the National League in OPS right now, so not much more you can ask of a guy like that. It's been special."

This is Soto's first All-Star nod since 2024 when he was with the Yankees.

"I mean, it's always a lot of gratitude for me," Soto said. "But I would say it's the same. I just fell short last year. Definitely, it just kind of motivated me. I've got to be better, I've got to be better to be with the best of the best in the league. And, definitely, this year, I came in with a different mentality and thank God I made it."

Soto, who was previously an All-Star from 2021-23 with the Washington Nationals, added that he has "been thinking about" the July 13 Home Run Derby but "will see."

"I don't know," Soto said. "I've definitely been thinking about it. We're still thinking. Philadelphia, it seems like it's going to be fun. I will see. I will see."

What will go into his decision?

"I mean, I've got to check where my body's at, how much I need to recover and be ready for the second half and definitely, we've got to think on everything," he said. "We've got to think on every situation and we go from there."

Soto is slashing .297/.406/.565 with 18 home runs and 41 RBI through 69 games.

"He loves baseball," Green said. "He's set out to be one of the best players in the history of the game, and the best players in the game are at the All-Star Game every year. So, it's a place he deserves to be. It's a place he belongs, and I don't have the depth of a personal relationship at this point in time to say this but I certainly believe he relishes the opportunity to be around other great players."

Yankees' Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger, Cam Schlittler make 2026 MLB All-Star Game

The Yankees had four players selected to the 2026 MLB All-Star Game: Aaron Judge, Ben Rice, Cody Bellinger and Cam Schlittler.

"I'm really excited about it," Rice said about his first career All-Star nod. "I can't wait to enjoy the weekend."

This is Bellinger's third career All-Star selection, and his first as a Yankee.

When asked whether he hopes to pitch in the game, Schlittler replied "We'll see. ... The team comes first. If it lines up, it lines up, but if not, that's fine as well. ... I've got bigger things to worry about here."

Meanwhile, Bellinger reflected that it has "been a while" since he appeared in an All-Star game, and he is "gonna enjoy it."

"Last time, I didn't have kids ... I'm excited to have them on the field, that's what it's all about," Bellinger said.

 This is Judge's eighth career All-Star selection, but he will not participate at All-Star Weekend in Philadelphia as he continues to recover from a fractured rib.

Hunter Goodman named to the National League All-Star team

Jun 7, 2026; Denver, Colorado, USA; Colorado Rockies catcher Hunter Goodman (15) looks to the bench during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Coors Field. Mandatory Credit: Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images | Christopher Hanewinckel-Imagn Images

Late this afternoon, Major League Baseball announced the rosters for the 2026 All-Star Game in Philadelphia. This year, catcher Hunter Goodman will be representing in Colorado Rockies in what will be a repeat performance after he awarded the accolade in 2025.

It is an award the catcher has earned, a case Sam Bradfield made earlier this week: “In 2026, it’s quite possible he will break his own records from 2025 (if he hasn’t already), and he could be the Rockies’ first back-to-back All-Star since Nolan Arenado, Charlie Blackmon and Trevor Story all went in 2018 and 2019.”

As it turns out, Goodman has joined an elite corps of Rockies alumni. Goodman and Elias Díaz are the only Rockies catchers that have attended the All-Star Game.

Goodman’s 27 home runs on the season are tied for the second-most in the Majors and tied with Larry Walker (2001) for the most home runs by a Rockies player before the All-Star break. He is also the third primary catcher to log at least 27 homers pre-All-Star break (since 1933), alongside Cal Raleigh (38, 2025), and Johnny Bench (28, 1970). Fittingly, both of those catchers played in that year’s All-Star Game.

His 11.59 AB/HR is the second-best in the Majors among qualified hitters behind Kyle Schwarber’s 10.53 AB/HR.

For those ready to cry “COORS!” 18 of Goodman’s 27 long balls have been on the road, the most road homers pre-All-Star in franchise history (previous high: Larry Walker, 16 in 1997). He is tied for the ninth-most road home runs by a Rockie in a single season, one shy of tying Vinny Castilla (19, 1997) for eighth.

In June, Goodman’s 13 home runs were the most in the Majors. Moreover, he is the second player in franchise history to have at least 13 home runs in a single month along with Troy Tulowitzki (15 HR, Sept. 2010). He became the fourth career primary catcher with at least 13 home runs in a calendar month, joining Atlanta’s Ozzie Virgil (13 HR, May 1987), New York Mets’ Gary Carter (13 HR, Sept. 1985), and New York Giants’ Walker Cooper (13 HR, June 1947).

TLDR: Goodman earned this accolade.

Now fans will wait to see if Goodman is selected for the Home Run Derby, a challenge Goodman has indicated he would like to try.

Over the last two days, he has been spotted taking batting practice from his father, Robert.

Purple Row readers have been clear on this subject: Hunter Goodman should absolutely be in the Home Run Derby.

But regardless, congrats to Hunter on being selected to his second All-Star Game!


Join the conversation!

Sign up for a user account and get:

  • Fewer ads
  • Create community posts
  • Comment on articles, community posts
  • Rec comments, community posts
  • New, improved notifications system!

Mariners hold 4th of July BBQ, smoke Blue Jays 11-0

Jul 4, 2026; Seattle, Washington, USA; Seattle Mariners starting pitcher Logan Gilbert (36) acknowledges the crowd as he walks off the field during the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays at T-Mobile Park. Mandatory Credit: Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images | Stephen Brashear-Imagn Images

On his last start on the Fourth of July, against the Giants in 2023, Logan Gilbert pitched a complete-game shutout, holding the Giants to just five hits with seven strikeouts and no walks. Gilbert wouldn’t quite match that mark today – he couldn’t quite go the distance, but still collected seven strikeouts while not issuing a walk over 7.1 innings of work, and held the Blue Jays to just one (fake) hit – but it was nonetheless another star performance from Gilbert, who seems to have fully turned the corner from his early-season struggles.

Logan Gilbert came into today’s game needing nine strikeouts to reach a career mark of 1,000, and fell just two short of doing it in front of the home crowd. Strikeout Number 992 came in the first inning, on a three-pitch dismantling of Vladimir Guerrero Jr. with a fastball-fastball-slider sequence. Classic. Elegant. Number 993 came right on its heels, again on the slider, with Gilbert staying stubborn to the pitch despite missing on it the pitch before and getting Kazuma Okamoto to eventually swing over it.

994 was his lone strikeout in the second inning, freezing Yohendrick Piñango with a perfectly-spotted 97.1 mph four-seamer after Piñango had declined to swing at the splitter and slider the pitch before. Similarly, 995 was his only strikeout in the third, again after going splitter-slider to Blue Jays catcher Brandon Valenzuela; once again, Gilbert froze him on 97, this time right in the middle of the plate. 996 came in the fourth and was Guerrero again, a near carbon-copy of the first at-bat except this time ending on a strikeout on the curveball.

The strikeouts dried up some after that, with the Blue Jays making some quick weak-contact outs in the fifth, and annoyingly one hit from Piñango that fell, breaking up Gilbert’s perfect game. Logan looked pretty annoyed about this little 70something bloop hit finding grass:

997 came in the sixth inning, this time victimizing Andrés Giménez, the contact-forward infielder. Gilbert put him away with a changeup, a wrinkle he introduced in the back half of his outing. But while the strikeout pace slowed, Gilbert continued to get outs: he was at 71 pitches at the end of the sixth, and although the seventh inning cost him another 17 pitches, he did collect strikeout 998, getting former Mariner Jonatan Clase swinging after a four-seamer at 97.

“The velo on the fastball – it didn’t seem like he lost it at all,” said manager Dan Wilson postgame. “He just kept locating it and commanding it where he wanted.”

Gilbert wasn’t the only one chasing a personal milestone today. In the second, the Mariners got their first run scored on a hit in 22 innings when Victor Robles collected his 500th career hit, a sharp single into left field that scored Cole Young, who had hit a line-drive double to the gap in a full count – a lovely little piece of hitting from the youngster. Speaking of nice hits from youngsters, Colt Emerson broke a rough stretch with a line drive single up the middle to keep the inning going with two outs. J.P. Crawford walked to load the bases, taking advantage of some shaky command from Blue Jays starter Shane Bieber, making just his third start after missing the first part of the season with elbow inflammation. That brought up Randy Arozarena – the Mariners’ lone All-Star in 2026, at least for now – who already had a double on the day on a four-seamer that was a foot off the plate. This time, Bieber tried to sneak a slider past Randy, who emphatically Did Not Miss It:

Despite an inflated pitch count, Bieber hung in until the fifth, when he issued a leadoff walk to Randy – at that point, understandable – but then left a cutter dead read for Dominic Canzone, who absolutely obliterated it to right-center for a no-doubt home run that Canzone knew was gone the instant it came off the bat.

The Mariners continued to add on even after Bieber departed the game, touching up former Mariner farmhand Adam Macko for a run: Colt Emerson reached on a bunt base hit, and Randy pushed him to third on the rare infield single/throwing error combo. Canzone then picked up his third RBI of the day on a tidy ground ball single to make it 8-0 Mariners. That was enough for Jays manager and current holder of the Mike Scioscia Memorial Trophy for Reddest Man in Baseball, John Schneider, who lifted Macko for Tommy Nance, and the Mariners quickly made Nancemeat out of him: Cal Raleigh joined the hit parade with a deep blast to right to push this game squarely into “laugher” territory.

“That’s what our offense does. We can wear you down, and then we get a big hit and things go our way,” said Wilson postgame. They certainly went the Mariners’ way today.

After that the only question was whether Gilbert could reach the 1000 K mark here at home. Wilson gave Gilbert the start of the eighth, when he retired Ernie Clement on a lineout on a curveball, but lifted him after that so he could enjoy an ovation at home.

“Every pitch he threw today had serious conviction behind it. He just made good pitches all day long, and never really gave them a chance to settle in…I think he deserved quite an ovation today, and he got a chance to go out there and face the crowd and let them show their appreciation. A great moment for him,” said Wilson.

Cole Wilcox took over for Gilbert to close the eighth and got the next two outs; after the Jays sent out a sacrificial Myles Straw as the position player to pitch the bottom of the eighth (scoreless!), he had a soft landing in the ninth with the 11-run cushion, but was still able to spin a 1-2-3 inning to keep the shutout intact and close out the Mariners’ biggest win by margin of victory – their previous high was eight runs, a number they’ve matched four times – this season. It also felt like the Mariners’ largest margin of victory spiritually, spurred by a Logan Gilbert who seems to have finally found his groove, a redemptive homer from a struggling Cal Raleigh, and contributions from up and down the lineup – every starter but Luke Raley had a hit or at least a walk (J.P.) – even while Julio Rodríguez misses time with a concussion. Lucy has pulled the football away far too many times this season for Mariners fans to feel like this team has turned a corner, but on today of all days, we can enjoy the offensive fireworks no matter how long they burn.

MLB All-Star Game rosters revealed as Bryce Harper earns 'Legend Pick' nod

PHOENIX — It was a year ago when Bryce Harper screamed and cursed at MLB commissioner Rob Manfred in a heated argument, telling him to get out of the Philadelphia Phillies clubhouse if he wanted to talk about a salary cap in baseball.

"If you want to speak about that," Harper told Manfred, "you can get the [expletive] out of our clubhouse."

Manfred certainly showed there are no ill feelings, offering Harper an olive branch Saturday, July 4, naming Harper as his "Legend Pick," to represent the Phillies at the 96th All-Star Game on July 14 at his home ballpark at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

Harper, who’s having his finest first half since 2021, hitting .274 with 20 homers and 57 RBI, might have been the biggest All-Star snub without Manfred stepping in and selecting him. Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman, one of four Dodgers starting players, won the fan balloting while Atlanta’s Matt Olson won the player balloting.

Harper, a nine-time All-Star, joins four of his Phillies teammates: DH Kyle Schwarber, who actually received more player votes than the Dodgers' two-way star Shohei Ohtani; outfielder Brandon Marsh; closer Jhoan Duran and starting pitcher Cristopher Sanchez. Sanchez is expected to be the National League’s starting pitcher with Ohtani scheduled to be strictly a DH and Milwaukee Brewers All-Star Jacob Misiorowski scheduled to start on the last day before the break, making him ineligible to pitch in the All-Star Game.

The Dodgers, the two-time defending World Series champions, will have five players in the All-Star Game, including four starting players for the first time since 1980. Ohtani, who won the fan balloting as the DH, will start along with Freeman, third baseman Max Muncy and first-time All-Star center fielder Andy Pages. World Series MVP Yoshinobu Yamamoto also was selected. Muncy becomes the first Dodgers third baseman to win the fan balloting since Ron Cey in 1977.

The New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Tampa Bay Rays lead the American League with four All-Star players apiece. Perhaps the most controversial of those selections is Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who won the fan balloting despite having his worst season, batting .268 with just four homers, 35 RBI and a career-low .699 OPS. He has the fewest homers and RBI than any starting position player, and ranks only 10th among all qualified American League first baseman.

Yet, Guerrero also became the first player to announce he won’t be playing, saying he needs to recuperate his lower back that has been bothered him the last month.

“It’s very difficult for me,’’ Guerrero told Toronto reporters, “but I really have to take care of myself and I’ve got to put my team first for the second half.’’

Certainly, no one will be complaining they were snubbed more than the Boston Red Sox. First baseman Willson Contreras, their best player the first half, hitting .283 with 18 homers and 53 RBI, was ignored by the fans and the players and didn’t make the team. Neither did their best pitcher, starter Sonny Gray, despite being 9-1 with a 2.36 ERA.

“I can’t believe my brother didn’t make it,’’ his younger brother, Brewers All-Star catcher William Contreras, told USA TODAY Sports. “Look at his numbers. He’s got to be there.’’

The St. Louis Cardinals might not be too far behind in legitimate complaints with second baseman JJ Wetherholt, closer Riley O’Brien and starter Michael McGreevy being left off the team. They wouldn’t have had a single player chosen if MLB didn’t step in and select right fielder Jordan Walker.

The other notable snubs include: Starting pitchers Zack Wheeler of the Phillies, Nick Martinez of the Rays, Kyle Harrison of the Milwaukee Brewers, Davis Martin of the Chicago White Sox, and Braxton Ashcraft of the Pirates. The leading position players who have legitimate complaints are Brewers second baseman Brice Turang and first baseman Jake Bauers; outfielder Bryan Reynolds and second baseman Brandon Lowe of the Pirates, Rockies first baseman TJ Rumfield, Nationals first baseman Luis Garcia, White Sox shortstop Colson Montgomery and Blue Jays third baseman Kazuma Okamoto.

There are 26 first-time All-Stars, including four rookies: Kevin McGonigle of Detroit, Travis Bazzana and Parker Messick of Cleveland, and Sal Stewart of Cincinnati. McGonigle, the youngest All-Star at 21 years old, is the first Tigers rookie to make the All-Star team since Matt Nokes in 1987, and was emotional hearing the news with the game played in his hometown.

“I've always dreamed about going to an All-Star Game in Philly, just to go and watch,” he said. “That's always been a dream,’’ McGonigle told reporters this week. “Now that I might have the opportunity to, you know, play in one? That would be surreal.’’

And the Guardians are only the fifth team in MLB history to send multiple rookies to the All-Star Game, last accomplished by the 2014 Yankees with pitchers Dellin Betances and Masahiro Tanaka. There are 11 All-Star selections who are 24 or younger, including Bazzana, who’s just the fourth Australian native to be an All Star.

While three-time MVP Aaron Judge will be unable to play in the game with his broken rib, it is the ninth consecutive season the Yankees have had at least one player voted to the game, the longest streak in MLB.

The Athletics, with catcher Shea Langeliers winning the fan balloting, have had All-Star starters in back-to-back years for the first time since 1992. A’s shortstop Jacob Wilson won the fan balloting a year ago, but this time Kansas City Royals shortstop Bobby Witt Jr. won the player and the fan balloting.

The American League players who won the fan and player balloting: Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement;, Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero; Witt, Houston Astros DH Yordan Alvarez; and outfielders Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins and Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels.

Trout, who earned his 12th All-Star selection, is on the injured list with a strained hamstring but is expected to be activated this week and play in the All-Star Game, which is 45 minutes from his hometown of Millville, N.J. It would be his first time playing in the All-Star Game since 2019.

There were only two National League Players who won the fan and player balloting: Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams; and Muncy.

While the fans voted Marsh, Juan Soto and Pages as their NL starting outfield, the players chose Pete Crow-Armstrong of the Chicago Cubs, Corbin Carroll of the Arizona Diamondbacks and James Wood of the Washington Nationals.

The fans voted for Guerrero mostly out of name recognition and his past accomplishments, the same could be said for defending NL Cy Young winner Paul Skenes, 6-8 with a 3.62 ERA. Skenes, who started last year’s All-Star Game, hasn’t won a game since May 12, going 0-6 with a 5.63 ERA since May 12. Yet, while Skenes was chosen,  Detroit Tigers’ two-time Cy Young winner Tarik Skubal (4-4, 3.15 ERA) was left off after missing five weeks with elbow surgery.

MLB made six selections apiece in the NL and AL, with four of the picks used to represent clubs that did not have an All-Star.

➤ The six AL picks: pitchers Bryan Baker of the Tampa Bay Rays; Jacob Latz of the Texas Rangers; Ranger Suarez of the Boston Red Sox and Michael Wacha of the Kansas City Royals; along with first baseman Ben Rice of the Yankees and catcher Adley Rutschman of the Baltimore Orioles.

➤ The six NL selections: Pitchers Max Meyer of the Miami Marlins; Eduardo Rodriguez of the Arizona Diamondbacks; Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants and Yamamoto; outfielder Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals and catcher Hunter Goodman of the Colorado Rockies.

Certainly, there will be plenty of position player substitutes and pitchers who will be ineligible to pitch in the game before they arrive next weekend in Philadelphia. Surely the Phillies’ fans would love to see Wheeler, 37, make an appearance after his comeback from thoracic outlet decompression surgery last September. Nick Martinez, who turns 36 next month, would be a fabulous feel-good story earning his first All-Star berth with his 7-2 record, 2.61 ERA.

And come on, who wouldn’t want to see Contreras scream at any National League pitcher who dares to pitch inside at the All-Star Game?

In the meantime, let the fireworks begin.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: MLB All-Star Game rosters revealed as Bryce Harper earns 'Legend Pick' nod

Bobby Witt Jr., Michael Wacha named All-Stars

Bobby Witt Jr. celebrates after making a defensive out
CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 27: Bobby Witt Jr. #7 of the Kansas City Royals celebrates after making a play in the fifth inning against the Chicago White Sox at Rate Field on June 27, 2026 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Michael Hirschuber/Getty Images) | Getty Images

It’s about dang time, but MLB announced today that Bobby Witt Jr. will finally start an All-Star Game.

This will be Bobby’s first All-Star start, but third All-Star appearance. He was the runner-up at shortstop in each of the past two seasons. He was first prevented from starting by Gunnar Henderson in 2024 because he had not yet had his nuclear July, but Henderson was among the league leaders in home runs. That didn’t prevent Bobby from becoming the runner-up in the Home Run Derby, while Henderson had the fewest home runs in the first round and was eliminated.

Last year, he was bested in voting by rookie Jacob Wilson of the Athletics, who was leading the league in batting average. Jacob Wilson almost certainly won’t be an All-Star at all this year, as he is only slashing .277/.310/.386/.696.

Michael Wacha was also named an American League All-Star, his second appearance, but the first since 2015. Wacha has truly been fantastic this year. If you were holding out hope that Carter Jensen or Jac Caglianone would be selected, there is still a chance they could be chosen as injury replacements as Carlos Estévez and Maikel Garcia were last year.

Also, if you were wondering if Jac or Bobby might be in the home run derby, we’re still waiting for any participants other than Junior Caminero – who hit his 11th home run in 11 games earlier tonight. So we’ll just have to wait and see.

Phillies have five All-Stars for the National League

Jul 1, 2026; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; Philadelphia Phillies left fielder Brandon Marsh (16) hits a home run against the Pittsburgh Pirates during the third inning at Citizens Bank Park. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-Imagn Images | Bill Streicher-Imagn Images

The 2026 All-Star Game is in Philadelphia. You know this. What you don’t know is what players will be representing the Phillies. Now, we know.

As for the subs, the Phillies will have two position players as reserves

For the pitchers:

Giants get two All-Star reps despite dreadful first half

DENVER — Manager Tony Vitello gathered the Giants in the visitors’ clubhouse of Coors Field about two hours before first pitch Saturday and relished the chance to deliver a rare bit of good news.

The third-worst team in the National League will have two representatives at next week’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Logan Webb and Luis Arraez were both selected by their peers.

Giants pitcher Logan Webb was selected for his third All-Star team. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

“I didn’t want to mess it up,” the rookie manager said. “It’s my first go-around.”

Vitello called it an “honor” to inform Webb that he would be an All-Star for the third straight season and that Arraez had earned his fourth nod following a one-year hiatus.

In both cases, it would have been hard to see coming just a few months ago.

Webb had planned to spend his All-Star break on a wildlife ranch, and it sure looked like he would have his schedule available when he landed on the injured list after his eighth start.

At the time, he was sporting a 5.06 ERA.

But he turned around his season so dramatically, allowing three total earned runs over five June starts, that he was named an All-Star a day after earning his first National League Pitcher of the Month honors.

“To be honest, I didn’t really expect this,” Webb said. “But it’s always nice to be recognized by your peers and teammates, coaches around baseball. Obviously it’s a cool honor. I’ll take as many as I can get.”

Webb had improved his ERA to 3.09 by the time selections were finalized, before he was shelled for seven runs on 11 hits in Friday night’s 15-3 loss, raising the mark back to 3.66.

“Obviously after yesterday,” Webb said, “I don’t really feel like an All-Star today.”

The Giants’ Luis Arraez earned his fourth career All-Star nod but first with San Francisco. Mark J. Rebilas-Imagn Images

By receiving his third straight nod, Webb joined an exclusive club of Giants pitchers. Only Juan Marichal, Tim Lincecum and Madison Bumgarner had previously been selected to three All-Star Games in a row.

Because he is lined up to make his final start of the first half on Wednesday, Webb should be an option for National League manager Dave Roberts.

“I’ve faced him a lot, and I know he competes a lot, too,” Arraez said of Webb. “Facing him has made me [feel like] I need to compete. Logan is one of those guys you want to be with on a team.”

Nobody was happier to learn that Arraez had regained his All-Star status than Ron Washington, who the second baseman said was “like my grandfather right now. … He was very excited.”

It’s Arraez’s daily drills with the infield coach that have transformed him from one of the league’s worst defenders into one of the best at his position. When he signed with the Giants, he didn’t have any other offers from teams willing to give him the chance to play second base.

“It means a lot,” Arraez said, “when you put in a lot of work.”

Webb has taken notice. As Arraez’s name swirls in trade rumors ahead of the Giants’ anticipated selloff, their ace said, “[I] hope I’m his teammate for a long time.”

“Luis is probably one of the hardest workers I’ve been around, and I’ve been around a lot of them,” Webb said. “Just getting around Wash and really just putting his nose into it, it’s been really fun to watch.”

Arraez was previously an All-Star in 2022 with the Twins, in 2023 with the Marlins and 2024 with the Padres, but he missed out last season amid health issues and a down year at the plate. Those numbers are back to normal this year, with his highest batting average (.326), on-base percentage (.361) and slugging percentage (.465) since the best season of his career in 2023.

“What he’s done in the past is nothing to slouch at,” Vitello said. “But the dedication that he and Wash have hooked up to prove that he’s not just in contention for a batting title, as he always is, but a Gold Glove as well. You combine those two things and you’ve got an exciting player sprinkled on top of it, you definitely have an All-Star.”

Despite its underwhelming first half, 15 games below .500 when MLB revealed the All-Star rosters Saturday afternoon, San Francisco will be strongly represented at the sure-to-be patriotic 96th Midsummer Classic on July 14 at Citizens Bank Park.

The game coincides with the 250th anniversary of the country’s founding in the same city.

The last time the Giants were limited to the minimum one All-Star was in 2019, even though that team had three fewer losses at the All-Star break than this one has with another week to go.

The last time the Giants had started a season this poorly, entering the break at 34-56 in 2017, Buster Posey was their lone representative, voted a starter by the fans for the fourth time.

And yet, even on this dreadful team, Webb and Arraez had competition as its most deserving players. Casey Schmitt has arguably been their best hitter while playing five different positions, and it’s a tad surprising the Commissioner’s Office — which has a hand in selecting the reserves — declined to tip the scales for Jung Hoo Lee given his breakout season and global appeal.

Both players would have been first-time All-Stars. There remains a possibility that they could be selected as replacements if players pull out for injuries or other reasons.

“Obviously it’s not a secret we’re not playing very good here,” Webb said. “But there’s probably about three other guys that should be an All-Star. Probably more deserving than me.”