The American League put on an historic show in the 2026 All-Star Game, shutting out the National League for the first time since 2013 and holding it to just three hits.
AL manager John Schneider of the Toronto Blue Jays used 11 of the best pitchers the league has to offer to get the job done. Dylan Cease struck out the side in his frame and Michael Wacha, Joe Ryan and Cade Smith finished the game with two apiece. The NL fanned a staggering 15 times en route to its loss.
Despite the AL's success, Boston Red Sox fans felt a presence missing from their roster. Sonny Gray deserved a spot among the league's best pitchers on his own merit, but even more so after Ranger Suarez had to back out of the game due to injury.
Gray has had a better season than every starter who pitched for the AL in Philadelphia. New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler has undeniably been the league's best pitcher this year with a 2.05 ERA, 0.94 WHIP and 137 strikeouts over 118.2 innings, but Gray has been similarly dominant.
Red Sox fans, players still shocked Sonny Gray was not added to AL All-Star team after elite first half
Gray has posted a 2.54 ERA, 1.10 WHIP, 85 strikeouts and a league-leading 11 wins over 95.2 innings. He's shockingly been the Sox's most reliable arm since he came off the injured list on May 6, yet he was snubbed from the All-Star festivities. Red Sox players shared their shock at the decision to leave Gray off the roster in the days leading up to the Midsummer Classic.
“Very surprised from the beginning… We had the hope that he would be added later on and that wasn’t the case. I think he should be here. With the season he has had, he should be here with us,” Red Sox All-Star closer Aroldis Chapman said (via Chris Cotillo of MassLive, subscription required).
Despite Gray's lack of credit in the All-Star Game, he'll get the chance to continue his early success into the second half, possibly with the Red Sox. Gray was one of Boston's clearest deadline trade candidates just a few weeks ago when Boston was struggling at the bottom of the AL East. Now, after the Red Sox won nine straight entering the break, they might keep him around, despite his status on a one-year contract.
Gray undeniably deserved a spot on the AL's All-Star squad, but at least he'll be well rested and ready to continue his resurgent season in the playoff hunt.
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