While the Philadelphia Phillies will have at least five All-Stars this season, Saturday’s contest proved that their talent runs much deeper.
The surging Phillies look for their ninth win in 12 games when they visit the Kansas City Royals in a Sunday matinee.
Philadelphia learned Saturday afternoon that the National League All-Star team will include ace Cristopher Sanchez, closer Jhoan Duran, designated hitter Kyle Schwarber, first baseman Bryce Harper and outfielder Brandon Marsh.
Right-hander Zack Wheeler could be in line for a spot on the team, as well, if any other NL starting pitchers miss the game due to injury.
Meanwhile, in Saturday’s series opener, the Phillies defeated the Royals 6-1 with non-All-Stars making the majority of the contributions to the team’s latest victory.
Jesus Luzardo allowed one run in six innings, while J.T. Realmuto, Gabriel Rincones Jr. and Alec Bohm homered in support of the left-hander.
“If we’re going to be any good, we need contributions up and down (the lineup),” Philadelphia interim manager Don Mattingly said. “It can’t always be (Harper) and (Schwarber) hitting homers and driving in a bunch of runs. It’s gotta be the whole roster.”
Nick Loftin drove in the only run for Kansas City, which has lost eight of its last nine games. Right-hander Michael Wacha, one of two Royals All-Stars, allowed four runs in six innings.
Kansas City shortstop Bobby Witt Jr., the team’s other representative for the Midsummer Classic, went 0-for-4 and is 1-for-12 in his last three games.
“It’s an honor,” Witt said after learning that he’ll be the starting shortstop for the American League. “Being able to get this opportunity. Just thankful for all the fans and everyone who voted.”
In Sunday’s affair, Philadelphia will give the ball to Aaron Nola (3-5, 6.04 ERA), who is coming off another tough outing in the midst of a difficult season. The veteran right-hander allowed eight runs in 4 1/3 innings in Monday’s 11-7 home loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates, while giving up two homers for the fourth straight start.
“I definitely haven’t really had a stretch like this ever in my career,” Nola said. “I mean, over my career, I feel like I’ve been kind of an innings eater since I’ve been with the Phillies. It’s been tough, you know? I mean, I haven’t really stepped foot in the sixth inning too much this year. It’s a little bit different, but I’ve got to keep working. I believe I can get back to that point.”
Nola has made three previous starts against the Royals, losing all three while posting an 8.82 ERA. He gave up six runs in six innings against Kansas City in a 10-3 loss last September.
The Royals will counter with rookie Luinder Avila (3-3, 5.40), who made two scoreless relief appearances against Philadelphia last season. The right-hander has made seven starts and nine relief appearances so far in 2026.
Most recently, Avila surrendered four runs in four innings last Sunday in an eventual 5-4 victory over the host Chicago White Sox.
“Way too many pitches,” Royals manager Matt Quatraro said. “Some of it’s unfortunate, but some of it is needing to execute early in the count.”
–Field Level Media
