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Cristopher Sanchez Named National League Starting Pitcher for All-Star Game
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez has been named the starting pitcher for the National League during the upcoming All-Star Game. It's only fitting that Sanchez gets the nod in his home ballpark in Philadelphia. The fact it's in Philly likely helped his case to start, but Sanchez is deserving of the honor. The southpaw owns a 2.62 ERA, 1.18 WHIP, and a 144/25 K/BB ratio across 20 starts this season. This will be the second All-Star selection of his career. Sanchez also made the team during the 2024 season as a member of the Phillies. Toronto Blue Jays stud Dylan Cease will be on the opposing side during Tuesday's All-Star contest.
Source: Matt Gelb
Source: Matt Gelb
Zack Wheeler Turns Down All-Star Invitation
Philadelphia Phillies starting pitcher Zack Wheeler has decided to decline an invitation to the upcoming All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Wheeler was asked if he wanted to be a replacement on the National League roster. He declined, stating that he felt disrespected to be the fifth choice as a replacement. Wheeler has been outstanding when healthy this season, so he's certainly deserving of an All-Star nod. The right-hander owns a 2.28 ERA, 0.91 WHIP, and a 98/20 K/BB ratio across 14 starts this season. Wheeler has bounced back nicely since having thoracic outlet surgery last year. He'll rest up during the All-Star break and look forward to helping the Phillies in the second half of the season.
Source: Lochlahn March
Source: Lochlahn March
Kyle Schwarber to Participate in Home Run Derby on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber will officially participate in this year's Home Run Derby to kick off All-Star week on Monday, according to MLB. Schwarber will join teammate Bryce Harper in front of the home faithful at Citizens Bank Park, joining Junior Caminero, Ben Rice, Willson Contreras, and Jac Caglianone. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star and former Silver Slugger winner is an easy choice for the Derby, as he currently leads all of baseball with 32 round-trippers through 338 at-bats in 2026. Schwarbs also leads the league with 140 strikeouts in 90 games across 401 plate appearances while slashing .254/.369/.571 with a .940 OPS, 58 RBI, 57 runs scored, and two stolen bases in his 12th year in the big leagues and fifth with the Phillies. Despite his elevated 34.9% strikeout rate, Schwarbs has continued to get on base at a high clip and hit the ball hard 54% of the time when he makes contact. He has homered twice in his last three games and is batting .250 (14-for-56) with three homers, six RBI, six runs, and a steal in 16 games since June 22.
Source: MLB
Source: MLB
Jesus Luzardo Keeps Rolling, Shuts Down Reds on Thursday
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo is on a strong run, and that continued as he shut down the Cincinnati Reds on the road on Thursday in a 1-0 victory. Luzardo threw seven shutout innings, allowing just two hits, walking two, and striking out 11 to win his eighth game of the 2026 season. The 28-year-old southpaw from Peru has had some uneven performances this year for sure, but he has also allowed two or fewer runs in 13 of his 19 starts in his second year in Philly. He will take an 8-4 record, 3.52 ERA, and 136:35 K:BB in 110 1/3 innings into next week's All-Star break after posting his fourth start of the season with double-digit strikeouts. Since allowing five earned runs in six innings in a no-decision against the Chicago White Sox on June 5, Luzardo has given up only six earned runs while walking 14 and striking out 56 in 37 1/3 innings pitched in six starts versus the Reds, Toronto Blue Jays, Miami Marlins, Washington Nationals, New York Mets, and Kansas City Royals. He's rolling going into the break, and fantasy managers can only hope he keeps this form to begin the second half later this month.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Zack Wheeler Reaches Double-Digit Strikeouts for Second Straight Outing
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler wasn't too happy about being an All-Star Game snub, and he took it out on the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night in the Phillies' 4-1 victory at Great American Ballpark. Wheeler was dominant, allowing an earned run on four hits (one homer) while walking none and striking out a season-high 14 hitters in seven innings for his ninth win of 2026. It was Wheeler's second straight start with double-digit punchouts after he fanned 10 in just 4 2/3 innings on July 1 against the Pittsburgh Pirates. The only run the Reds mustered was on a solo homer by Eugenio Suarez. Wheeler will try to keep the good times rolling this year and close out the first half of the season strong in a good matchup this Sunday against the Detroit Tigers. Wheeler came into 2026 fantasy drafts with some volatility following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome, but he hasn't missed a beat in his 12th MLB season and is now sporting a 2.28 ERA. Keep him in all starting lineups for his upcoming matchup against the Tigers.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
J.T. Realmuto a Positive Regression Candidate?
Philadelphia Phillies catcher J.T. Realmuto is showing his age (35) in his 13th year in the big leagues in 2026. The three-time All-Star is currently hitting .201/.286/.319 with a career-worst .604 OPS, five home runs, 25 RBI, 22 runs scored, and three stolen bases in 61 games played across 231 plate appearances. He hit just .176 (13-for-74) with eight walks and 20 strikeouts in 21 games in June, but he also had three of his five home runs, five doubles, 16 RBI, 11 runs scored, and two of his three steals in 85 plate appearances. Realmuto is no longer in his prime and has been showing signs of decline at the plate for the last several seasons, but is he really as bad as his current surface stats suggest? Under the hood, Realmuto's expected batting average of .248 and xwOBA of .316 (wOBA of .274) point to a second-half resurgence. But still, he's ranked in the 38th percentile in hard-hit rate, the 22nd percentile in barrel rate, and the 34th percentile in chase rate. There's very little upside here, which is why Realmuto is now rostered in less than 20% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Zack Wheeler Fans 10 in Just 4 2/3 Innings Against Pirates
Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler had an unusual day on Wednesday in the team's 10-6 win over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Wheeler only lasted 4 2/3 innings on the mound and allowed four earned runs on nine hits (one homer), but he walked only one and struck out a season-high 10 batters in the no-decision. It was the first time that the 36-year-old veteran didn't make it through five innings all year, and he wasn't happy about the early hook after the game when speaking to the media. Still, the three-time All-Star is now 8-1 on the season with a sharp 2.36 ERA (3.30 FIP) and 0.94 WHIP with 84 strikeouts and 20 walks in 80 innings pitched across his 13 starts in his 12th season in the majors. Coming into the 2026 campaign, there was some uncertainty as to whether Wheeler could rebound to ace form following surgery for thoracic outlet syndrome. Through the first half of the year, it's safe to say that he has exceeded expectations. Fantasy managers will want Wheeler in their starting lineups for his final start of the first half next week against the Cincinnati Reds.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Brandon Marsh Continues Power Binge With Two More Homers on Monday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Brandon Marsh has been flexing his muscles all month, and that continued in Monday night's 11-7 loss to the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates at Citizens Bank Park. Marsh went 2-for-5 at the plate with two home runs and also struck out three times in the contest. The 28-year-old left-handed-hitting outfielder is now up to 14 homers on the season -- he's just three home runs shy of a new career high -- and he's up to a whopping nine round-trippers in June. In addition to his 14 homers, Marsh has 44 RBI in 80 games played and has become a must-add off the waiver wire for fantasy managers seeking more pop in their lineup. The former second-round selection by the Los Angeles Angels in 2016 came into Monday's contest against Pittsburgh with a .321/.353/.510 slash line, .863 OPS, 12 homers, 42 RBI, 46 runs scored, and eight stolen bases. Fantasy managers should expect some regression since he's basically playing every day and being exposed to more left-handed pitchers, but regardless, he's now rostered in nearly 80% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Schwarber Returns From Back Injury on Thursday
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Kyle Schwarber (back) is serving as the team's designated hitter and is batting in the two-hole for Thursday's contest in D.C. against the division-rival Washington Nationals and right-hander Cade Cavalli, according to MLB.com. Lower-back tightness kept Schwarber out of the Phillies' starting lineup for the last two games, but the All-Star slugger is now back and should be returned to all starting lineups in traditional fantasy leagues. The 33-year-old three-time All-Star and Silver Slugger winner currently leads all of baseball with 29 home runs while slashing .252/.367/.594 with a .961 OPS, 52 RBI, 51 runs scored, and a stolen base in 76 games across 338 plate appearances. Schwarbs has clubbed four home runs in his last four games (three homers last Saturday) and is hitting .306 (22-for-72) with seven long balls, 13 RBI, and 15 runs scored in 20 games so far in June. He still has plenty of swing and miss to his game, but it's all worth it for the elite raw power that he provides from the left side of the plate. Schwarber has hit .167 with one RBI and a .777 OPS in six career at-bats versus Cavalli.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Schwarber Missing a Second Straight Game With Back Injury
Philadelphia Phillies outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (back) is sitting out of Wednesday's game against the division-rival Washington Nationals for the second straight game due to a back issue, according to MLB.com. First baseman Bryce Harper will serve as the DH and bat third, with Alec Bohm starting at first base and batting cleanup, and Edmundo Sosa manning third and batting eighth against Nationals right-hander Miles Mikolas. Schwarber, MLB's leader in home runs with 29, was scratched from Tuesday's lineup with lower-back tightness, and he'll miss a second straight game. As of right now, the elite left-handed power hitter is being considered day-to-day, but that could change quickly if Schwarbs is unable to return to Philly's lineup by this weekend. His next chance to return will be for Thursday's series finale in D.C. against the Nats. The 33-year-old veteran has been on a heater of late, going 7-for-23 (.304) with five home runs, 10 RBI, and nine runs scored in his last six games. Fantasy managers should check back on Schwarber's condition on Thursday.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Adolis Garcia Undergoes Successful Lat Surgery
The Philadelphia Phillies said on Wednesday that outfielder Adolis Garcia (lat) underwent successful surgery to fix his torn right lat in Chicago, according to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Garcia is facing a recovery time of six to eight months, so he will miss the rest of the 2026 season. The 33-year-old Cuban right-handed slugger should have ample time to be ready for the start of the 2027 campaign, but the damage has been done to his fantasy profile. Before suffering a season-ending torn lat, Garcia was struggling in Philly to the tune of a .195/.270/.329 slash line, .599 OPS, seven home runs, 21 RBI, 21 runs scored, three stolen bases, 21 walks, and 84 strikeouts in 67 games across 259 plate appearances. The two-time All-Star has not been the same since he hit a career-best 39 home runs and drove in 107 runs in 2023 with the Texas Rangers on his way to leading them to their first World Series title. There probably isn't going to be a ton of interest in a fading power hitter coming off a serious injury when he hits the open market this winter.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Edmundo Sosa Drives in Five on Tuesday, Set for More Playing Time?
Philadelphia Phillies infielder/outfielder Edmundo Sosa had a big game near the bottom of the team's batting order in Tuesday's 14-9 win over the hosting Washington Nationals, going 2-for-5 at the plate with a home run, a double, a career-high five RBI, two runs scored, and two strikeouts. Sosa wasn't originally in the Phillies' starting lineup for this one, but he was inserted late as the designated hitter after All-Star slugger Kyle Schwarber was scratched due to back tightness. The 30-year-old veteran utility man took advantage with a big game in the Phillies' win. Sosa hasn't played much in June, but when he has played, he's been solid, going 11-for-36 (.306) with two home runs, two doubles, a triple, eight RBI, and six runs scored. In 126 at-bats in 2026 as a bench player for Philly, Sosa is slashing .238/.274/.413 with five long balls, 24 RBI, 17 runs, and two stolen bases. If Schwarber's back injury sends him to the injured list, Sosa could be a lineup regular for the Phillies as they head into the All-Star break next month. Sosa is currently rostered in only 1% of Yahoo leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Jesus Luzardo Shows his Upside With 13-Strikeout Performance Against Nats
Philadelphia Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo has been hit or miss for fantasy managers in 2026 with the Phillies, but he showed his upside in his outing on Tuesday against the division-rival Washington Nationals on the road in the team's 14-9 victory. Luzardo allowed five earned runs on six hits while walking three and striking out a career-high 13 batters in 6 2/3 innings for a no-decision. Most of the damage the 28-year-old southpaw absorbed on the night came during a four-run fourth inning at Nationals Ballpark. Despite allowing five earned runs, Luzardo generated 19 swings and misses on his 104 pitches. He's now 6-4 on the year with a 4.39 ERA (3.13 FIP) and 1.31 WHIP with 110 strikeouts and 30 walks in 92 1/3 innings across 16 starts. The month of June has been very indicative of Luzardo's inconsistent season, as he allowed three earned runs with 17 strikeouts in his previous two outings, but he gave up another five earned runs with just two K's in six innings to begin the month on June 5 against the Chicago White Sox. Fantasy managers should consider Luzardo a must-start in his upcoming matchup against the division-rival New York Mets, his first meeting with them in 2026.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
Kyle Schwarber Scratched on Tuesday With Back Tightness
Philadelphia Phillies All-Star outfielder/designated hitter Kyle Schwarber (back) was scratched from Tuesday night's lineup on the road against the division-rival Washington Nationals with tightness in his lower back, according to Lochlahn March of The Philadelphia Inquirer. Utility infielder Edmundo Sosa is serving as the DH for the Philis and is batting eighth in the order against Nationals left-hander PJ Poulin. For now, we'll consider Schwarber, the MLB leader in home runs with 29, to be day-to-day until further notice. Losing the 33-year-old three-time All-Star for an extended period of time would be devastating to the Phillies and fantasy managers alike. Check back on Wednesday to see if Schwarber is feeling good enough to return to the starting nine. Schwarber hit three homers on Saturday against the division-rival New York Mets (two in one inning) and continues to be the cream of the crop in fantasy when it comes to power. In addition to leading the league in homers, Schwarbs also leads in strikeouts (115), slugging percentage .594, and total bases (170) in his 75 games across 337 plate appearances. He's been outstanding in June, going 22-for-72 (.306) with seven long balls, 13 RBI, and 15 runs scored.
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Source: The Philadelphia Inquirer - Lochlahn March
Bryce Harper Hits for the Cycle for First Time in his Career
Philadelphia Phillies first baseman Bryce Harper had a special day at the plate on Saturday in the team's 15-3 blowout win over the division-rival New York Mets. Harper finished 4-for-5 at the plate with three runs scored and two walks to produce the first cycle of his career. The 33-year-old two-time MVP and eight-time All-Star hit a solo home run in his first at-bat, and he finished off the cycle in the fifth inning in a game in which teammate Kyle Schwarber also hit three home runs. The Phillies' offense just could not be stopped at Citizens Bank Park. Harper's fantasy managers had to have been happy with what they saw on Saturday night, as he entered the game in a 1-for-22 slump in his last seven games. With the offensive outburst and first cycle of his career, Harper is now slashing .259/.367/.506 with 16 home runs, 43 RBI, 50 runs scored, and five stolen bases in his 316 plate appearances. The Phillies and fantasy managers alike are hoping that his four-hit day against the Mets can get him going at the plate with the All-Star break quickly approaching next month.
Source: MLB.com
Source: MLB.com
