Are Phillies fans experiencing déjà vu right now? Last year, Cristopher Sánchez was wildly left off the roster of the 2025 National League All-Star team. Fans were ready to wreak havoc over the snub, and sadly, that feeling has not gone away.
Zack Wheeler has not initially been named an All-Star this season despite having the fourth-highest bWAR (3.8) among all MLB pitchers. He has a 2.36 ERA, a track record of recent All-Star appearances, and a great comeback story. So, what gives?
Phillies fans realistically shouldn't have to wait much longer for Wheeler to be named a replacement All-Star. Patience will be key here, but considering how Phillies pitchers have been wronged recently, it's understandable for fans to immediately get angry.
Zack Wheeler's 2026 All-Star snub has Phillies fans feeling slighted again
Last year, Sánchez had a 2.68 ERA and 1.13 WHIP in 100.2 innings ahead of the All-Star break. His résumé was strong. His numbers at the time were better than they were in 2024 (when he was named an All-Star!). In spite of all that, Sánchez was still left off — though the Phillies did the right thing and honored him in spite of the league doing him dirty.
What happened to Sánchez in 2025 gives MLB all the more reason to do right by the Phillies in 2026. Are they really going to screw the team two years in a row? Especially with the All-Star Game being held in Philly?
The one thing that fans can hold their breath for is that Wheeler is a strong replacement candidate for another National League pitcher. About a dozen arms skipped out or declined to pitch in the 2025 All-Star Game. Funny enough, Wheeler was one of them. So, there is reason to believe that a few spots will open up over the next week, especially as pitchers who are lined up for Sunday starts begin to vacate the roster, as is required.
From that, there is hope that Wheeler will be asked to partake. His stat line is as good as it's ever been, the All-Star Game is being held at his home park, and the league could stand to right their wrong from last year. On top of all that, after undergoing thoracic outlet decompression surgery late last year, it's crazy to even think that Wheeler still has All-Star worthy numbers. That should be enough to get him to his fourth All-Star Game. It might be his most deserving season yet.
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