Category: Baseball

Juan Soto feels re-energized coming out of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game as the Mets look to bounce back from a disappointing first half of the season.

"I'm really positive, I think this break was really good for me," Soto said after coming out of the game for the top of the fifth inning. "Get to see so many players, grab so much advice for them, and tried to put in work for my team."

Asked what he expects from the season's second half, the Mets' All-Star said the plan is to turn the page.

"A turnaround, that’s what I’m expecting,” he said when asked about the remaining 65 games. “Try to get these guys going. We have a lot of talent in there and talent that can do damage. I feel like we have guys that, they can do it all."

While it was a "first half to forget," Soto said the intention is to stay positive. "It’s a long season with plenty of games left, and we’re going to try to win as many as we can," he said, adding later that the plan is to put the first half "behind us, and start from scratch."

On the field during the Midsummer Classic, a 4-0 victory for the American League, Soto struck out swinging in the bottom of the first before driving a leadoff single up the middle to start the fourth, the first hit for the squad representing the Senior Circuit.

"It's always great," he said of his All-Star Game hit. "To be here and get a knock against the best pitchers in the league, it's always good."

Asked about his approach against the American League's Dylan Cease and Joe Ryan, Soto laughed, "Just see it and hit it. That was kinda what we got in there, just try to see it and try to do damage."

Before the game, Soto got a hearty welcome from the fans in Philadelphia, as was expected from the citizens of the City of Brotherly Love. 

"It's great," the Mets' slugger said. "Like they always say, 'If they booing you, you doing things right.' So, I just embrace it, enjoy it, take it. Take a deep breath, keep moving."

Soto said he wasn't surprised about the boos, calling Philly fans "really passionate."

And those passionate fans extended the same honor to Mr. and Mrs. Met.

Juan Soto receives his boos as he’s introduced at the All-Star Game in Philadelphia 😂 pic.twitter.com/g9LtO0hqgz

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 15, 2026

Mr. & Mrs. Met receive loud boos as they’re introduced in Philadelphia for the All-Star Game 😂 pic.twitter.com/3qhYPDM3WA

— SNY Mets (@SNY_Mets) July 14, 2026

Sometimes, the All-Star Games are thrillers, last year being the one that jumps immediately to mind thanks to recency bias the swing off to win the game. Other times, there are snoozers where not a whole lot happens.

Tonight was definitely the latter.

The American League pitching staff dominated the National League lineup, striking out 15 NL hitters on the night and taking the game, 4-0. Luckily, this is an exhibition again and means nothing in terms of the World Series. However, this is where we focus on the Phillies. It leads to the question: how did the Phillies do in the game to represent our great city?

Well…

Cristopher Sanchez

Yikes.

Sanchez was given the honor of starting the game for the National League, a deserved honor based on his body of work last year and this year where he has continued his ascent to the top of many starting pitcher rankings. Tonight? That wasn’t the case. Sanchez struggled quite a bit in his inning of work, allowing three runs in the opening frame thanks to control that was largely nonexistent. Maybe it was the adrenaline, maybe it was nerves, but Sanchez had a hard time landing his stuff where he wanted it to go, leading to uncharacteristic walks and hard hit balls. He struck out Mike Trout to start the inning before Yordan Alvarez singled up the middle, followed by a walk to Shea Langeliers. Junior Caminero grounded out for the second out and it looked like Sanchez would sneak out of trouble, but another walk to Bobby Witt, Jr. loaded the bases.

Then, the Yankees hit. Back to back singles from Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice plated three before Sanchez struck out Riley Greene to end the frame. It wasn’t the greatest performance by a Phillies pitcher, but hey, it’s just an exhibition.

Kyle Schwarber

A large theme of the night was the National League not hitting at all. Schwarber was a culprit on the night, going 0 for 2 with a strikeout, not covering himself in glory. He did give a great soundbite though.

FOX chose to mic up several players on the evening, Schwarber being one of them. His earpiece fell out after a swing, which meant a mid at bat adjustment.

Classic.

Brandon Marsh

If Schwarber didn’t do anything, Marsh may have done less. Making his All-Star debut, Marsh was able to get two at bats in the game…..and struck out in both. Like I said the other day, Marsh looks like he needs some time off from baseball, but he did make a kid’s night on the field during that Sandlot thing.

Bryce Harper

Hey look! Another Phillies hitter striking out! Cool though is that there was another soundbite since, again, FOX!

Jesus Luzardo

As rough of an outing as Sanchez had, Jesus Luzardo was pretty much the polar opposite. He looked great in his inning of work, getting the fourth inning for the National League and setting the American League down in order. He even got Riley Green to strike out on a nasty, nasty sweeper that has come to define him in his tenure here in Philadelphia.

Jhoan Duran

Almost an afterthought, Dave Roberts was able to get Duran into the game in the ninth inning after Mason Miller got the first out of the innings. Duran came in (maybe he had his entrance, maybe he didn’t, who knows because again – FOX!) and got two outs after allowing a single to Randy Arozarena.

Sometimes you have to tune out the haters.

Juan Soto did just that in Philadelphia when he was introduced at Tuesday night’s MLB All-Star Game. In enemy territory, Phillies fans booed him so loudly that he couldn’t help but smile.

Making his fifth All-Star appearance, Soto went 1-for-2 with a single and a strikeout against a pair of pitchers he’s historically struggled against. The AL defeated the NL 4-0, with Soto’s knock among the NL’s three hits.

Batting second and starting in left field, Soto struck out by chasing an outside fastball against AL starter and Toronto Blue Jays’ ace Dylan Cease. Soto is just 2-for-11 with five strikeouts and a home run against Cease all-time.

Soto finally got the better of Minnesota Twins pitcher Joe Ryan, singling up the middle in the fourth inning. Soto is 0-for-7 in his career against Ryan. Soto’s single was the only NL hit until Chicago Cubs Pete Crow-Armstrong singled in the eighth inning.

Soto was brilliant for the Mets in the first half of the season despite missing multiple weeks with a leg injury. He’s second in the NL in OPS (.967) and tied for seventh in home runs (21).

The Mets are back in action Thursday against the Phillies at 7:10 EDT on ESPN.

The American League entered this night as winners of 11 of the last 13 All-Star Games, the exceptions being a National League win in 2023 in Seattle and last year’s swing-off in Atlanta, with Kyle Schwarber the swing-off hero and MVP of the game.

That continued Tuesday evening as the AL thoroughly dominated the NL in a 4-0 win at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. It’s the first All-Star shutout since 2013, when the AL defeated the NL 3-0 at Citi Field.

Playuer introductions included each player in the starting lineup going to sign a lineup card set to look like the Declaration of Independence. Did you like that? [VIDEO]

After that, American League hitters took it out on Cristopher Sánchez of the Phillies, one of the better pitchers im MLB this year, who had a 50.2 inning scoreless streak earlier in the year. Not on this night — he allowed three hits and a pair of walks, leading to a three-run American League first inning. In 20 starts during the regular season, know how many times Sánchez walked at least two? Six times, and he threw at least 5.1 innings in each of those six. Somehow, in front of his home fans, he fell apart with a 34-pitch outing.

Two of those AL runs were driven in on a single by former Cub Cody Bellinger [VIDEO].

The other AL run in the first was driven in by Ben Rice of the Yankees, leading to this fun fact:

After that the game kind of screeched to a halt for a while. The NL didn’t have a hit until Juan Soto of the Mets singled leading off the fourth. But the AL stars couldn’t score again either, and had just two other hits through the top of the fifth.

There was a scary moment in the third, when Junior Caminero of the Rays was hit, apparently on the hand, by Cardinals closer Riley O’Brien [VIDEO].

Caminero didn’t even go to first base before being replaced by Miguel Vargas of the White Sox, instead going to the clubhouse for treatment. The good news is that he’s okay:

Here’s a play worth watching: Ernie Clement of the Blue Jays retiring Andy Pages of the Dodgers with this great throw to end the fifth [VIDEO].

Nice pick there by former Cub Willson Contreras, too.

The only Cubs representative, Pete Crow-Armstrong, entered the game as a defensive replacement in the top of the sixth. In the eighth they mic’d him up and what did he talk about? The Chicago Bears!

While that PCA conversation was going on, the AL finally broke the scoring drought when Vargas sent this home run into the second deck in left field [VIDEO].

PCA got the NL’s second hit of the night with one out in the eighth, a single to center, but he was stranded.

The NL wound up with a third hit, by Otto Lopez in with two out in the ninth, avoiding becoming the second team to get only two hits in an All-Star game. That was the NL at Wrigley Field in 1990. Next year, of course, the All-Star festivities will return to Wrigley — presuming the 2027 season goes off as scheduled. Let’s hope so.

The 2026 MLB season resumes Thursday with a single nationally televised game, also from Philadelphia, as the Phillies host the Mets on ESPN. The Cubs will resume play Friday at Wrigley Field at 7:05 p.m. CT with TV coverage via Marquee Sports Network.

With Jordan Walker shocking the baseball world by winning the Home Run Derby, safe to say the St. Louis Cardinals have had an eventful week in Philadelphia. The Cardinals presence in the actual All-Star game was underwhelming with one very big exception. More on that later.

The American League did what it seems the American League always does in All-Star games as they jumped out to a lead in the first inning. After Mike Trout struck out, Yordan Álvarez singled up the middle and Shea Langeliers walked. Junior Caminero then grounded out moving both Álvarez and Langeliers up to second and third with two out. Bobby Witt Jr. drew a walk to load the bases. Back-to-back singles by Cory Bellinger and Ben Rice gave the AL a quick 3-0 lead.

The first St. Louis Cardinal to enter the All-Star game was Riley O’Brien and to say he had an eventful top of the 3rd inning would be an understatement. After giving up a leadoff single to Shea Langeliers, Riley lost control of a 97 mph sinker which plastered Junior Caminero in the left hand fingers causing him to collapse to the ground in pain. The good news is the x-rays taken at the park came back negative for broken bones according to the TV broadcast.

Leave it to Riley to create a crisis and then pitch his way out of it. He got Bobby Witt Jr. to ground out to third for what looked like a double play, but was denied on a challenge. O’Brien got Cody Bellinger to fly out to left and then struck out Ben Rice to end the top of the 3rd inning with no runs scored. Drama, but no runs has been the story of many St. Louis Cardinals bullpen moments in the first half of the season, so including it in an All-Star game appearance makes sense.

Brief Editorial Rant: I am a lifelong diehard baseball fan, but I was honestly bored to death for the first 7 innings of this All-Star game. There were no extra base hits until the top of the 8th inning. That streak was interrupted by Miguel Vargas who launched a 88 mph slider into one of the upper decks of Citizens Bank Park to make it 4-0 American League. Combine that dearth of offense with awkward pauses in the game for MLB skits and you get a recipe for a substandard All-Star game. Now, back to our regularly scheduled programming.

I also sat impatiently waiting for Cardinals not named Riley O’Brien to enter the All-Star game. I know it must be a challenge for Dodgers manager Dave Roberts to work all the players into the game, but how did Jordan Walker not make a more prominent appearance after his stunning Home Run Derby appearance? Iván Herrera finally was given an at-bat in the bottom of the 8th inning with PCA on first base. He grounded into an inning-ending force out at 2nd.

Jordan WalkerFINALLY entered the All-Star game in the bottom of the 9th inning. He was first up to face Aroldis Chapman. Chapman didn’t seem to want to throw Jordan a fastball as he threw 2 splitters and 2 sinkers to strike Walker out with only 1 four-seam fastball in the mix.

For the night, the National League only managed three miserable hits (all singles). The American League notched 7 hits and 4 runs including the 1 exciting home run, but even that seemed dull overall. Oh, PCA did say that he likes the turf in Busch Stadium during his in-game interview with the Fox broadcasters, so that was news. Can it be Friday any faster so we can resume the real entertaining baseball season again?

The fireworks were delayed, but Miguel Vargas made sure it was worth the wait.

The Chicago White Sox third baseman woke up Citizens Bank Park with an absolute bomb for the first home run of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in the top of the eighth inning. Vargas connected on a slider on the inner half of the plate from Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Justin Wrobleski and boomed it 433 feet into the second deck in left field to put the American League up 4-0.

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game has been all about the pitchers, and the top of the seventh inning was no exception for Los Angeles Dodgers lefty Justin Wrobleski.

Wrobo rung in his 26th birthday by striking out the American League side, putting down Cleveland Guardians rookie Travis Bazzana, Boston Red Sox outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela and Tampa Bay Rays slugger Yandy Díaz in order on 12 pitches.

Through all three batters, the first-time All-Star was aggressive in the zone and showed exceptional command of his fastball, drawing five whiffs on the six times he threw it, two of which punched out Rafaela and Díaz for the third strike.

Wrobo strikes out the side in his first career All-Star Game. 🔥 pic.twitter.com/eIBJlFeI3z

— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) July 15, 2026

It's a departure from Wrobleski's usual style of pitching for contact, though the third-year pitcher out of Oklahoma State finished off the first half of the season with 20 strikeouts over his last two starts, an uptick from his 21% K rate and 10% whiff rate.

After the fifth inning at Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday night, everything stopped.

Players, coaches, managers, umpires and fans joined in to remember those we've lost and those among us who are fighting a battle against cancer.

Providing the music for this year's Stand Up To Cancer moment this year was Philadelphia band Boyz II Men. They came up together at the Philadelphia High School for Creative and Performing Arts before "Motown Philly" and "End of the Road" turned them into one of the biggest R&B acts of the 1990s. The city liked them enough to name a street after them – Boyz II Men Boulevard is real in Philadelphia. Patti LaBelle, also a Philadelphia native, opened the night with the national anthem.

"I'll Be There," is what Boyz II Men chose to carry the crowd through the Stand Up To Cancer moment.

As they sang, fans, players, coaches and umpires held the names of those close to them touched by cancer, including Derek Jeter, who held up the name of former Yankees outfielder Gerald Williams. The 14-year major leaguer died in February 2022 after a battle with cancer. Jeter announced the death himself, calling Williams "one of my best friends in the world."

Together, we stand up to cancer. pic.twitter.com/BanDQxo7C0

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026

Boyz II Men weren't just a hit for the hometown crowd. American League manager John Schneider was into it, too. He went up to them after their performance and shook their hands.

"That was cool. Me and (Twins manager Derek Shelton) were sitting there talking like, wow, this is kind of cool here in Philly. You know, brings you back to your teenage days a little bit," the Toronto Blue Jays manager said. "I thought that everything, every performance, was cool. From that to the anthem to 'God Bless America.' Everything was really cool. Awesome to shake their hand and say, hey, huge fan. You know what I mean, for a 46-year-old dude saying huge fan."

The partnership between MLB and Stand Up To Cancer goes back to 2009, and they have done the same moment at every All-Star Game to help raise awareness. MLB and its 30 teams have put tens of millions of dollars behind Stand Up To Cancer ever since, money the organization credits with helping produce nine FDA-approved cancer treatments.

Rays fans can catch their breath — for now.

Tampa Bay’s Junior Caminero exited Tuesday night’s All-Star Game in the top of the third inning after getting drilled on the left hand on a pitch from Cardinals right-hander Riley O’Brien.

Immediately after being hit with a 98-mph fastball from O’Brien, the American League All-Star fell to the ground as his helmet also came off. 

Caminero remained on the ground in pain before popping up shortly after and walking off under his own power.

X-rays came back negative, and he is considered day-to-day, a good sign for the Rays.

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“Yeah, in the moment I was just scared, right,” Caminero told reporters after the AL’s 4-0 win through an interpreter, according to MLB.com. “Kind of in that situation, right there in the moment, you’re thinking the worst, and I honestly thought something might have been broken. But look, thank you to God that everything’s fine, and now it’s just a little bit sore, but we’re all good.”

The Rays lead the AL East at 56-38 despite low expectations entering the season, and part of that reason is because of Caminero. 

Caminero has been their offensive engine, as he’s hit 28 home runs and has a .927 OPS through 94 games. 

The 23-year-old also took part in Monday night’s Home Run Derby and fell to eventual winner Jordan Walker in the semifinals.

It’s the type of welcome you’d expect a rival crowd to give you. 

And no, it wasn’t just for a player or coach. 

At the MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday night, Phillies fans loudly booed Mr. and Mrs. Met as they were introduced and presented on the scoreboard. 

In front of a sea of Phillies shirts and hats, Mrs. Met led the charge by walking on top of the first base dugout with her hands out wide. 

Mr. Met followed, and it’s safe to say he had fun on top of the dugout — even if Philadelphia fans were jeering loudly. 

Mr. Met crouched down and appeared to be doing pushups before pumping his fist. 

Even if it seemed harsh, the welcome makes sense. The Mets and Phillies are longtime division rivals. The Phillies lead the all-time series 565-534-1, though the Mets won the only playoff series between the two teams during the 2024 NLDS.

This season, the rivalry has swung in the Phillies’ favor, as they lead the season series 4-2, which includes a convincing 15-3 win on June 20. 

In addition to booing Mr. and Mrs. Met, attendees booed Juan Soto, who’s been in the National League East for the majority of his career, starting with the Nationals and now with the Mets. 

Fans also booed the contingent from the rival Braves when they were introduced, and even chirped at Jordan Walker, who won the Home Run Derby in a thriller over Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber on Monday. 

Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez fittingly got the start for the NL, but yielded three runs in the first inning, courtesy of singles from Yankees stars Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice.

PHILADELPHIA — Tampa Bay Rays third baseman Junior Caminero was struck on the left hand by a pitch from St. Louis Cardinals closer Riley O'Brien in the top of the third inning and was immediately removed from the 96th All-Star Game, but appears to have avoided injury.

X-rays were negative, and Caminero said he will play Friday, when the Rays open the second half with a doubleheader at Boston.

O'Brien's 97.6 mph sinker came on the second pitch of the at-bat and hit Caminero on the outside of his left hand. He immediately sprawled on the ground, stayed down for a minute and then bounced up and jogged into the American League dugout.

Junior Caminero left the game after being hit by a pitch in the hand pic.twitter.com/gVuzV9XCbH

— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 15, 2026

He was replaced by pinch runner Miguel Vargas.

"I'm fine. Thank God nothing is broken," Caminero said via a translator in the middle innings of Tuesday's game. "I was just scared."

O'Brien was with Caminero in the AL clubhouse when Caminero received his X-ray results.

American League and Toronto Blue Jays manager John Schneider said he texted his Tampa Bay counterpart Kevin Cash with Caminero's test results, relieved one of the league's greatest players seemingly dodged a bullet.

"That's the last thing anyone wants to see," Schneider said after the AL's 4-0 victory. "I know X-rays on Junior's pinky were negative, and everything seems to be okay. I shot Kevin Cash a text right after that happened, and he was appreciative of that.

"We'll see them in about a week, so I hope Junior is all right. He's an unbelievable baseball player and even better person. You're trying to do what's right by everyone."

Caminero, 23, made his second consecutive All-Star appearance and hit 28 home runs before the All-Star break. O'Brien saved 24 first-half games for St. Louis.

PHILADELPHIA — In the early going of Tuesday’s All-Star Game, the Yankees were outscoring the National League, 3-0.

After a pregame ceremony heavy on pageantry and patriotism at Citizens Bank Park, the American League got to bat and rallied immediately against Phillies ace Cristopher Sánchez, with run-scoring knocks courtesy of Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice.

Sánchez got into trouble quickly, watching Yordan Álvarez shoot a one-out single through the middle and walking Shea Langeliers, the pair then advancing a base on a ball Junior Caminero chopped into the ground.

After a Bobby Witt Jr. walk, the bases were loaded with two outs and the stage set for a couple of Yankees hitters to inflict some left-on-left damage.

Bellinger, excellent against southpaws, smacked a single through the middle to score two.

Two pitches later, Rice singled to virtually the same spot to score one more, the two accounting for the three runs the AL would plate in the inning.

Sánchez only allowed more than two earned runs in four of his 20 starts this season.

Editor's note: Follow along for live updates and highlights from the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.

Philadelphia fans embraced Mike Trout like one of their own at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.

The event serves as a homecoming of sorts for the Los Angeles Angels star. The three-time MVP is a New Jersey native but has deep ties to Philadelphia, which is located 45 miles south of his hometown.

Trout received a loud ovation from the crowd as he was introduced before the Midsummer Classic.

A nice cheer for Mike Trout as he makes his return to the All-Star Game!

📺: FOX pic.twitter.com/1jixyUfXM0

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026

"It's been everything," Trout said about this All-Star experience during a pregame interview on the broadcast. "… Philly is a special place, it's where I grew up and it's awesome."

Trout served as the American League's leadoff hitter but struck out in his first at-bat against Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez.

Among those in the crowd cheering for Trout were his friends and family.

It was Trout's first All-Star Game appearance since 2019, allowing his two sons, Beckham Aaron and Jordy Michael, to watch him play in the event.

Trout was named as an All-Star for the 12th time in his career. He was selected eight consecutive times from 2012 through 2019.

Paul Skenes might not be pitching in the All-Star Game, but that didn’t stop him from getting dressed up – with his girlfriend, Olivia “Livvy” Dunne. 

Skenes, who was selected to be an All-Star but won’t pitch due to his schedule, posed in an Instagram selfie with Dunne — and on the red carpet — wearing a blue suit, blue pants, a white shirt and a dark blue tie. 

He was pictured next to Dunne, who donned a black and blue dress. 

Dunne held a blue bag in her selfie, which was captioned: “throwing a fit.” 

While being interviewed by reporters on Tuesday, Skenes talked more about his outfit, talking about his alligator boots and an American flag on his tie. 

Dunne, who said she’s wearing Miss Rosier, added she hoped to match Skenes and that he always wears red, white or blue and is a “Patriot.” 

Skenes and Dunne have been together since 2023, when they met while attending LSU.

Skenes’ baseball career has forced their relationship to be long-distance at times, but Dunne said they’ve remained close. 

“I mean, he makes time to come to my events,” Dunne told People in March. “I make time to go watch him pitch. I try to make every start I can.” 

After being selected first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft, Skenes has blossomed into one of the league’s top pitchers.

He followed his Rookie of the Year win and 1.96 ERA in 2024 by striking out 216 hitters in a Cy Young-winning 2025 campaign. 

Skenes has taken a slight step back in 2026 with a 3.57 ERA but remains one of baseball’s premier young players on an ascending Pirates team. 

While Dunne is no longer a gymnast, she’s now coming to the small screen in the fall and will be part of Fox’s “Baywatch” reboot in her first true foray into acting.

The MLB All-Star Game brings the best players in the game together for a friendly exhibition. But if the game is close as the end draws near, the pressure and the intensity rise to another level.

And if it goes down to the wire, there won't be any extra innings. Instead, if the game is tied after the bottom of the ninth, MLB has created a fun way to settle the score that borrows from the Home Run Derby the previous night.

And last season, a home-run tiebreaker was used for the first time since the new rule was implemented.