MLB announced the 2026 All-Star teams on Saturday, taking into account the fan voting, player ballots, and the Commissioner’s office to officially set the stage for the game on July 14th at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. It will be the 96th All-Star game in MLB history and as always, every team will be represented.
The first-place Cleveland Guardians were fortunate enough to have three players selected, so the AL Central leaders will be well represented in the mid-summer classic. The Guardians will be sending Cade Smith, Parker Messick, and Travis Bazzana to Philly to their first All-Star games.
Daryl Ruiter of 92.3 The Fan is a 29-year sports media veteran shared the news and it feels a bit surreal even seeing it in writing. It has been an impressive year for all three of Cleveland’s first-time All-Stars and few would have expected any of them to make it to Philly this early in their careers.
“#Guardians sending 3 All-Stars to Philadelphia: RHP Cade Smith, LHP Parker Messick and 2B Travis Bazzana,” Ruiter wrote.
#Guardians sending 3 All-Stars to Philadelphia: RHP Cade Smith, LHP Parker Messick and 2B Travis Bazzana
— Daryl Ruiter (@RuiterWrongFAN) July 4, 2026
Smith was thrust into a tough position after star closer Emmanuel Clase got caught up in alleged gambling violations last season, abruptly pushing Smith into the closer role. He had a few rocky outings in the beginning, but he has settled in quite well and has a league-leading 26 saves thus far with a stellar 57:10 strikeout-to-walk ratio.
Messick has continued displaying the quiet dominance that Guardians fans got a glimpse of after he got called up late in 2025. He has developed into an unexpected ace with a 7-5 record and 2.80 ERA through 18 starts.
Bazzana is the most surprising selection of the bunch, even though it is well deserved. Since his debut on April 28th, he has immediately become an indispensable part of the lineup and one of the best second basemen in the game. The competition at the position wasn’t fierce, but it’s great that he is going to get such a great experience under his belt just a couple of months into his big league career.
Guardians fans should be proud of their guys today. Having three All-Stars is exciting, and we can’t wait to see what each of them does on July 14th.
NEXT: Guardians Fall On Saturday As White Sox Tie AL Central Lead
