Toronto Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease struck out the side in his lone inning of work as the American League’s starting pitcher at the 2026 All-Star Game from Philadelphia on Tuesday night.
Cease, a first-time All-Star, set the tone with a strikeout of designated hitter Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies in front of the home crowd fans, before punching out New York Mets superstar Juan Soto on four pitches.
Los Angeles Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman drew a walk against Cease in a marathon nine-pitch at bat, before Washington Nationals shortstop C.J. Abrams struck out swinging to end the dominant showing from the AL’s starter.
Cease was tabbed to get the ball for the junior circuit by Toronto manager John Schneider over New York Yankees righty and Cy Young favourite Cam Schlittler.
Schlittler would later pull out of the Midsummer Classic after he threw 6.2 innings on Saturday to close out his first half.
Cease, 30, became just the third pitcher in Blue Jays history to start the All-Star Game after Roy Halladay (2009) and Dave Stieb (1983 & 1984).
He was relieved to begin the bottom of the second inning by Cleveland Guardians rookie Parker Messick. The AL was leading 3-0 at the time.
A native of Milton, Georgia, Cease has pitched to a 2.56 earned-run average with an AL-leading 148 strikeouts across 17 starts and 98.1 innings pitched.
He also leads the American League in fWAR (3.7), K/9 (13.55) and FIP (2.20).
