Irked Wheeler lets All-Star snub fuel Phils' win
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- Zack Wheeler tied a career high with 14 strikeouts over seven innings (104 pitches), allowing four hits, one earned run, and no walks in a 4-1 Phillies win over the Reds, improving to 9-1 on the season.
- Kyle Schwarber crushed his major league-leading 31st home run — a two-run shot in the third inning — to help Philadelphia build a 3-0 lead, and later added context about Wheeler's All-Star credentials.
- Wheeler openly vented about being left off the NL All-Star roster, calling the snub 'B.S.' and saying he was 'pissed off,' noting the All-Star Game will be played at his home field, Citizens Bank Park, next Tuesday.
- MLB added Pirates pitcher Braxton Ashcraft, Cardinals closer Riley O'Brien, and Phillies left-hander Jesus Luzardo to the NL All-Star roster on the same day Wheeler was passed over.
- Schwarber backed Wheeler publicly, saying 'when someone deserves it, someone that's putting up numbers deserves it, you want them to just get that nod,' and noting the team 'dealt with it last year' as well.
- Jhoan Duran struck out all three batters in the ninth to earn his 22nd save, while Reds starter Andrew Abbott (5-5) took the loss after allowing three earned runs in six innings.
Why it matters: Wheeler's 9-1 record, 14-strikeout gem, and 1.16-ish ERA-type dominance made him a glaring omission from the NL All-Star roster — and the snub came with the extra sting of the Midsummer Classic being hosted at his own ballpark next week, turning his frustration into fuel for one of his best starts of the year.
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