July 4 is a significant day on the calendar for more reasons than one. In addition to a historic national celebration, it is also the day that MLB announces the rosters for the 2026 All-Star Game.
The Cleveland Guardians have multiple candidates at various positions to make the American League team. Notably, it would mark a first-time selection for each of them.
Bleacher Report is predicting that Guardians pitcher Parker Messick will be given a spot on the AL All-Star team when it is revealed at 7:30 p.m. ET.
“AL Pitchers: SP Parker Messick, CLE,” Zachary D. Rymer wrote.
Messick is certainly a deserving choice as one of the best starting pitchers in the AL. In his first full season in the majors, he is 7-5 with a 2.85 ERA, 106 strikeouts and a 1.06 WHIP in 101.0 innings.
Though the 25-year-old left-hander has struggled lately, he built his All-Star case on an excellent opening to the season, winning six of his first seven decisions and entering June with a 2.21 ERA. He would be the first Guardians starting pitcher named to the All-Star team since Shane Bieber in 2021.
Fellow Guardians starter Gavin Williams is another possible candidate, with a 9-4 record and a 3.89 ERA. Interestingly, Cleveland closer Cade Smith was not named by Bleacher Report despite leading the majors with 26 saves.
That could be a function of the requirement that every MLB team needs to have at least one representative. That is also likely why Guardians shortstop Brayan Rocchio, who is having a breakout offensive season, and second baseman Travis Bazzana, who is having an excellent rookie year, are not on the roster.
It also does not include Cleveland third baseman Jose Ramirez, who has made the AL All-Star team each of the previous five seasons. In addition to having a subpar campaign by his standards, Ramirez is currently on the injured list after having wrist surgery.
Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan was an AL All-Star the past two years, but he is having the worst season of his career at the plate. So, Bleacher Report has Cleveland sending just one player to the event.
The game will be played at Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, on July 14.
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