Phillies' Zack Wheeler blasts MLB for All-Star snub after 14-K start: 'It pisses me off'

1 hour ago 2

The Philadelphia Phillies, unfortunately, have seen their pitchers get snubbed for awards and accolades often in recent years.

Zack Wheeler missed out on a Cy Young award that should've been his, and last year Cristopher Sanchez should've been an All-Star, but didn't even get any recognition. Now, Wheeler has been snubbed again, this time in a similar scenario to Sanchez's last year.

Wheeler isn't an All-Star in 2026 despite deserving the accolade, and as he shared to reporters and NBC Sports Philadelphia after his 14-strikeout dominant win over the Cincinnati Reds on Tuesday night, he's pissed.

Zack Wheeler is pissed he's not an All-Star: 'It's kinda BS'

"I felt like that was kind of like a reminder, for whoever needs to be reminded," Wheeler said. "It pisses me off, it's kinda BS."

Zack Wheeler didn't make the All-Star game, struck out 14 batters, then immediately called out MLB.@WapnerNewman pic.twitter.com/WsJBgGkecM

— NBC Sports Philadelphia (@NBCSPhilly) July 8, 2026

Wheeler's frustrations with MLB are warranted, and his dominant seven-inning start with 14 strikeouts, a career-high, is further proof of how bad his snub is.

As Wheeler went on to note, he wouldn't feel this way if he didn't believe he deserves it: "You know, maybe if I wasn't necessarily right in there, I wouldn't be saying this, but I feel like I've earned it..."

This season, Wheeler has a 2.28 ERA with a 9-1 record and 4.3 bWAR in 14 starts with 98 strikeouts across 87 innings pitched. He's been one of the best pitchers in baseball since returning in late April from Thoracic Outlet Syndrome surgery.

MORE: Phillies’ Cristopher Sanchez is planned NL All-Star starter

Wheeler absolutely deserves to be an All-Star this season. While his innings count might be a little lower, there's no denying he's one of the best pitchers in the sport right now.

But, since he's pitching on Sunday, July 12, he won't be eligible to pitch in the All-Star Game per MLB's rulebook. Jacob Misiorowski of the Milwaukee Brewers is in the same boat, and he's already been replaced on the All-Star roster.

However, he's at least getting an All-Star nod to add to his career totals. Wheeler, despite deserving an All-Star this year, won't get the accolade due to the technicality of being ineligible to pitch during the All-Star Game.

MORE: Angels GM says ’NO!’ in response to Phillies trade rumor for Mike Trout

"You figured they'd have a clue about it by now, how many All-Star Games they've had," Wheeler said. "I think it's kind of a BS rule that just because I pitch on a certain day, I get punished for it, I guess."

This frustration from Wheeler is entirely warranted. Considering how All-Stars impact contracts, Hall of Fame candidacy, and a player's legacy, they shouldn't be punished for being scheduled to pitch on a day that would make them ineligible for the All-Star Game.

Wheeler is "pissed," and rightfully so. There's no doubt Wheeler should be an All-Star, and the MLB rules can't stay this way after back-to-back years of Phillies aces not getting deserved All-Star nods due to a bad rule.