The Philadelphia Phillies have a once-in-a-lifetime pitcher in Zack Wheeler. With how he's performed so far in 2025, it's no question that he would be deemed an All-Star. Although it's an honor to be named an All-Star, Wheeler declined and opted for rest in hopes of attaining a bigger goal by the season's conclusion.
There was a plane chartered on Sunday for representatives going to the All-Star Game in Atlanta with the two Phillies being Wheeler and Kyle Schwarber, per MLB.com's Todd Zolecki. Wheeler instead decided to place his priority on resting and recovering after a long and grueling first half in which he pitched among the league's best. Instead of the pageantry of the All-Star Game, Wheeler would much rather spend time focusing on a championship run in the second half of the 2025 season.
Zack Wheeler would rather focus on winning for Phillies than pitch in All-Star Game
According to Zolecki, Wheeler had a real chance to start the All-Star Game for the National League, posting a 9-3 record, 2.36 ERA, 0.86 WHIP and 154 strikeouts through 122 innings pitched. His 19 starts proved worthy of an honor that only the best in their respective league get to cherish. Wheeler isn't concerned with that as much and just wants to stay the course of the season to better help the team.
“I’d just rather get myself ready to go for the second half,” Wheeler said, per Zolecki. “Don’t get me wrong, it would be an honor to throw [or] start.”
“This is what I’m worried about,” he said, referring to his teammates and a World Series championship, according to Zolecki
Zack Wheeler said he isn't pitching in the All-Star Game because "I'd just rather get myself ready to go for the second half. ... This is what I'm worried about."
— Todd Zolecki (@ToddZolecki) July 12, 2025
Wheeler starting the All-Star Game would have been a sticking point for Phillies fans and a sign that their ace is truly above all when it comes to toeing the rubber. It's the respect of being noticed as the best, but what also does that is winning a championship in Philadelphia.
Wheeler missing out on another Cy Young Award last season to Chris Sale felt just as cursed as it was in 2021 when he fell to Corbin Burnes. The end result of being named second place was still the same. He's now a three-time All-Star and a perennial Cy Young candidate, but what fans love most about Wheeler is his ability to dominate on the biggest stage there is. Wheeler is well on his way this season so there's a real chance he can finally break through for his first at 35 years old.
There's a reason why he holds the MLB record for the lowest postseason WHIP (0.73) with at least 50 innings pitched, per StatMuse. All-Star appearances and starts are fun, but Wheeler knows better than anyone that what's really at stake isn't some exhibition game in mid-July; it's the chance at back-to-back division titles and preparing for another chance at glory come October.