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PHILADELPHIA — Jacob Misiorowski's second trip to the MLB All-Star Game was much different than his first.

The Milwaukee Brewers' young pitching phenom seems to be okay with that.

"Honestly, I think it was a little bit more fun in a way," Misiorowski said in a media scrum outside of the National League clubhouse in the basement of Citizens Bank Park on Tuesday, July 14. "There's no stress that comes with it. I didn't have to worry about pitching, and I could just have fun, talk to guys, really just soak it all in."

MLB All-Star Game: AL wins behind first shutout in 13 years

He said he spent his two days in Philadelphia — where he was greeted by Phillies fans with a rather Brotherly Love welcome during pregame introduction on Tuesday — spending time on the field and talking to pitchers like the Atlanta Braves' Chris Sale, the Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes and the San Francisco Giants' Logan Webb.

The main reason Misiorowski's second trip to the Midsummer Classic was different than the one last year, which caused a bit of controversy as it came just five games into his big league career, was the fact that he was ineligible to pitch.

Originally scheduled to pitch the Brewers' final game of the first half against the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday, but the National League Central standings leaders skipped that start due to arm fatigue. Misiorowski was slated to go head-to-head against Skenes.

"A little forearm stuff," Misiorowski said on July 11 after his start was pushed back. "Nothing crazy. Just didn’t bounce back. A little quick on the days off between but nothing crazy. We also have this long break."

So how is Misiorowski feeling with a little bit more rest since his last start on July 7 against the St. Louis Cardinals, where he struck out 11 hitters over seven innings of work? For starters, it doesn't seem he is concerned about missing his next start after the All-Star break.

"We're good, yeah," said Misiorowski, who leads the majors with 167 strikeouts on the season. "Ready to go for the second half."

Jacob Misiorowski does not sound like someone concerned about missing his next turn through the rotation. pic.twitter.com/fYQadvPd1P

— Curt Hogg (@CyrtHogg) July 15, 2026

Misiorowski, who went 10-4 with a 1.62 ERA in 18 starts in the first half, will spend the rest of the All-Star break in Milwaukee and get further treatment.

"Can go back home and get some treatment from our trainers and work out, get ready for whatever game they decide I'm going to throw," Misiorowski said. "Nothing too crazy."

As for a target date for his first start of the second half, the 24-year-old, who is in contention for his first National League Cy Young Award, said there isn't one, but he'll be ready for whenever Brewers manager Pat Murphy and his staff tell him he has the ball next.

"First game, second game, third game, fourth game, fifth game, somewhere in there. I don't know," Misiorowski said with a smile.

The Brewers open the second half of the season on Friday, July 17 against the Miami Marlins at 7:40 p.m. ET at American Family Field in Milwaukee.

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Jacob Misiorowski 'ready to go for the second half' despite arm fatigue concerns

Cody Bellinger can add another accolade to his storied career.

The Yankees outfielder was named 2026 MLB All-Star Game MVP after going 1-for-3 with a two-run single.

Bellinger's hit came in his first at-bat in the first inning. National League starter Cristopher Sanchez of the Phillies labored in his one inning at the Midsummer Classic. Sanchez allowed a hit and walked two to bring up Bellinger with two outs. Bellinger, hitting sixth in the American League lineup, worked back from an 0-2 count, taking two offspeed pitches for balls before Sanchez made the mistake of leaving a 96 mph sinker over the heart of the plate. Bellinger laced a 101.1 mph single to open up the scoring.

"Baseball’s a funny game. He’s such a dominant pitcher and his stuff is so good," Bellinger said of his first-inning at-bat. "Really, for me, it’s all the guys in front of me. Base hit, a walk. Bobby [Witt Jr.] had a great at-bat in front of me. Saw like eight pitches. Bases loaded, two outs, just tried to keep it simple.

"Pitching today was just dominant; it was nasty. Hard to score some runs. Just try to stay within myself and try to get the job done there."

Bellinger later admitted that he didn't think his single in the top half of the first inning would hold up to grab the Ted Williams Award.

"Not in the moment," he said. "As the game went on, the pitching was just absolutely dominant."

In the game, the AL had three of their seven hits in a three-run first inning, and the NL didn't tally a base hit until the fourth as they managed just three singles and were shut out for the first time in over a decade.

Cody Bellinger drives in the first two runs of the All-Star Game! 🔥 pic.twitter.com/xJJtsi5om4

— SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) July 15, 2026

Yankees first baseman Ben Rice followed up with a single to drive in another run. It was more than enough as the AL pitching staff struck out 15 batters in the 4-0 win.

"I was so excited for him, especially seeing him drive in those two runs early from the on-deck circle," Rice said of his teammate. "I was so fired up for him.

"I was just so happy for him and his family."

It's the third All-Star appearance for Bellinger, but his first since 2019, when he won NL MVP as a member of the Dodgers.

"Took a long time to get back," Bellinger said of his 2026 All-Star experience. "It’s such a competitive league. It’s hard to be an All-Star. Health, performance, it all has to come together. This one, I just really enjoyed it." 

With the honor, Bellinger became just the fifth Yankee to win the award, joining Derek Jeter (2000), Mariano Rivera (2013) and Giancarlo Stanton (2022). 

"It’s special, man. Wearing this jersey, I feel proud wearing it," Bellinger said of joining that list. "It comes with a lot. I try to put my best foot forward and give it everything I got."

Ben Rice with an RBI single!

Yankees hitters drive in all three runs for the American League in the first inning 👏 pic.twitter.com/AFFbSaYJnC

— SNY Yankees (@snyyankees) July 15, 2026

Last year the All-Star game was decided by a home run swing-off, to which the National League ultimately prevailed. This year, nine innings were more than enough for the American League to secure a shutout victory for their first All-Star Game win since 2024.

Cristopher Sánchez gave the hometown crowd an electric start by striking out Mike Trout to begin things in the top of the first inning. The excitement was short-lived, as Yordan Alvarez singled up the middle before Sánchez walked Shea Langeliers.

Junior Caminero moved both runners over on a ground out, but a walk to Bobby Witt Jr. loaded the bases with two outs. The duo of Yankees helped the American League strike first, as old friend Cody Bellinger drove in two on a single up the middle and Ben Rice drove home Witt in identical fashion. Sánchez ended the first inning with a strikeout of Riley Greene, but needed to face eight hitters to let the National League lineup take over.

The American League is on the board first thanks to Cody Bellinger 😤 pic.twitter.com/i99fIYgZpL

— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2026

For the American League’s starting pitcher, Dylan Cease, he faced just four hitters in the bottom of the first, allowing a two-out walk to Freddie Freeman while striking out three.

Both offenses stifled over the next two innings, as Parker Messick and Michael Wacha allowed zero baserunners to complete three combined no-hit innings on the mound for the AL. Juan Soto broke up the no-hit bid with a single to begin the bottom of the fourth inning, but that was all the NL could muster against right-hander Joe Ryan.

The AL pitching kept holding their own against the NL, as their only baserunner after the Soto single was a walk to Sal Stewart from Drew Rasmussen with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning. The only highlight during that time for the NL was Justin Wrobleski’s All-Star debut, as the now 26-year-old celebrated his birthday by striking out the side in a perfect top of the seventh inning.

Happy birthday, Justin Wrobleski 🎂

He strikes out the side in his first #AllStarGame! pic.twitter.com/ITeFRbQKB0

— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2026

The left-hander returned for the top of the eighth inning, but his old teammate Miguel Vargas produced the first run of the game since the first inning with a towering 433 foot home run to left field, increasing the AL lead to four. Wrobleski bounced back after the home run to add his strikeout total on the night to five.

Miguel Vargas cracks one 433 feet and gives the American League a commanding lead 😤 #AllStarGamepic.twitter.com/thxDcttqBu

— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2026

Pete Crow-Armstrong and Otto Lopez had the only other hits for the National League with a single in the bottom of the eighth, but three hits in one game for any side was the least amount of hits in an All-Star Game since 2013 when the NL team had three hits. It is the first time that any team has been shut out in the All-Star Game since 2013. The NL struck out an All-Star Game record 15 times on Tuesday.

Final lines for Dodgers All-Stars

• Freddie Freeman— 0-1, walk, strikeout
• Max Muncy— 0-2, 2 popouts
• Andy Pages— 0-2, strikeout, groundout
• Justin Wrobleski— 2 IP, 1 hit, 1 run, 0 walks, 5 strikeouts, 29 pitches

All-Star Game particulars

• Home runs— Miguel Vargas
• WP—Dylan Cease: 1 IP, 0 hits, 0 runs, 1 walk, 3 strikeouts
• LP—Cristopher Sánchez: 1 IP, 3 hits, 3 earned runs, 2 walks, 2 strikeouts
• ASG MVP— Cody Bellinger: 1-3, 2 RBI

Up next

The Dodgers kick off the second half of the 2026 regular season on Friday, facing the New York Yankees in the Bronx (4:05 p.m. PT, SportsNet LA).

New York Yankees players were met with arguably the loudest boos during the All-Star Game festivities in Philadelphia.

So it was only natural that a Yankees player got the last word.

Yankees outfielder Cody Bellinger was named the All-Star Game MVP during the American League's 4-0 victory, their 11th win in the past 13 Midsummer Classics.

Bellinger's two-out, two-run single got the AL on the board in the top of the first inning off Philadelphia Phillies starter Cristopher Sanchez. Ben Rice, Bellinger's Yankees teammate, followed with an RBI single to make it 3-0.

Watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game with Fubo

Who won the Home Run Derby?

Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals defeated Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber to claim the title of Home Run King on Monday night.

USA TODAY at MLB All-Star Game

The 2026 Midsummer Classic has arrived, and USA TODAY will have reporters on the ground in Philadelphia and at home eager to deliver the goods. From media day and the Home Run Derby, to the red carpet and All-Star Game, we'll have everything covered.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Yankees' Cody Bellinger quiets Philadelphia crowd, wins All-Star Game MVP

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.

"Whatever, fuck it"

Kyle Schwarber was having some issues with his earpiece pic.twitter.com/gLpNLUXWXA

— Jomboy Media (@JomboyMedia) July 15, 2026

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.

I asked Brandon Marsh about the moment with the kids in between innings.

“That was my favorite baseball movie as a kid. When I hear that song, it almost brings tears to my eyes.”

Marsh said the kid told him his grandma was a huge fan, so Marsh took a video on the kid’s phone. pic.twitter.com/X6xyyYBLWD

— Luke Arcaini (@ArcainiLuke) July 15, 2026

Bryce Harper

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

"That's a strike."

Bryce Harper challenged just to challenge in the All-Star Game 😂 pic.twitter.com/Uj77X499kB

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

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.

Zeus at the #AllStarGame! ⚡ pic.twitter.com/LaCAG3WLke

— Philadelphia Phillies (@Phillies) July 15, 2026

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:

The @Yankees are the second team in MLB history to have two different players drive in a run in the first inning of an All-Star Game.

The other was the Reds in 1977 with Joe Morgan and George Foster.

— OptaSTATS (@OptaSTATS) July 15, 2026

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:

Riley O'Brien went to check on Junior Caminero as he received X-rays here at the ballpark. O'Brien wanted to do so personally.

X-rays came back negative for Rays slugger, and O'Brien and Caminero hugged.

O'Brien was back in NL dugout moments ago. #stlcards#AllStarGame

— Derrick Goold (@dgoold) July 15, 2026

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!

BEAR, and we cannot emphasize this enough, DOWN.

cc: @ChicagoBearspic.twitter.com/4IzmicwJU3

— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 15, 2026

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.

Junior Caminero was slow to get up and left the game after being hit by this pitch. pic.twitter.com/0pwJZu1kNv

— FOX Sports (@FOXSports) July 15, 2026

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 AL All-Stars got off to a quick 3-0 lead after ambushing National League starter Christopher Sánchez in his home ballpark. But the bats quickly cooled off from both sides after that until Vargas' solo shot in the penultimate frame to break up the pitchers party.

Miguel Vargas cracks one 433 feet and gives the American League a commanding lead 😤 #AllStarGamepic.twitter.com/thxDcttqBu

— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2026

Watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game with Fubo

Who won the Home Run Derby?

Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals defeated Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber to claim the title of Home Run King on Monday night.

USA TODAY at MLB All-Star Game

The 2026 Midsummer Classic has arrived, and USA TODAY will have reporters on the ground in Philadelphia and at home eager to deliver the goods. From media day and the Home Run Derby, to the red carpet and All-Star Game, we'll have everything covered .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Miguel Vargas delivers delayed All-Star Game fireworks with absolute bomb

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.

But overall, Wrobo has had a career year on the mound posting a 2.69 ERA through 15 starts, seventh-best in the National League and his personal best in three big league seasons. His 1.02 WHIP also ranks fourth in the NL.

Wrobleski was initially left off the NL All-Star roster, but told reporters he didn't make any plans for All-Star Week just in case. Call it intuition, manifestation, or whatever but it paid off on Saturday when manager Dave Roberts personally called Wrobleski to let him know he'd been selected as a last-minute replacement for Cincinnati Reds right hander Chase Burns.

“I was not happy that I wasn’t going to be a part of it,” Wrobleski told reporters. “And obviously, getting the news that I’m going to be able to go there and do it, it’s super exciting. Wide range of emotions.”

Roberts called upon Wrobleski for the eighth inning after musing about letting him get a second turn on the mound, but it didn't go as well as he gave up the first home run of the night to Miguel Vargas, himself a former top Dodgers prospect.

Miguel Vargas cracks one 433 feet and gives the American League a commanding lead 😤 #AllStarGamepic.twitter.com/thxDcttqBu

— MLB (@MLB) July 15, 2026

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Justin Wrobleski cops to excellence: Dodgers lefty strikes out side on 26th birthday

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.

Watch the 2026 MLB All-Star Game with Fubo

Who won the Home Run Derby?

Jordan Walker of the St. Louis Cardinals defeated Philadelphia Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber to claim the title of Home Run King on Monday night.

USA TODAY at MLB All-Star Game

The 2026 Midsummer Classic has arrived, and USA TODAY will have reporters on the ground in Philadelphia and at home eager to deliver the goods. From media day and the Home Run Derby, to the red carpet and All-Star Game, we'll have everything covered .

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Philly's own Boyz II Men headline All-Star Game's Stand Up To Cancer moment