Blue Jays make their mark at All-Star Game
Following their American League pennant victory in 2025, the Toronto Blue Jays were well-represented at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia. Manager John Schneider and his coaching staff led the American League squad. Three Blue Jays players, right-hander Dylan Cease, second baseman Ernie Clement, and closer Louis Varland, made their first career All-Star appearances.
Cease, who led the AL in strikeouts, was chosen by Schneider to start on the mound. This made him the fourth Blue Jays pitcher to start the Midsummer Classic. Clement earned his starting position at second base after leading the AL in fan voting during Phase 1, batting ninth in Schneider’s lineup. Varland was selected by his peers, having achieved a 1.10 ERA and successfully converted 19 of 19 save opportunities in the first half of the season.
Clement’s defensive highlight and World Series rematch
Ernie Clement, who has found a consistent role with the Blue Jays, had a notable performance at second base. In the bottom of the fifth inning, Clement made a significant defensive play against Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages. Pages hit a ground ball up the middle, which Clement fielded by ranging far to his right, leaping, and throwing to first for an out as he faded into left field.
This play was a reversal of fortunes from Game 7 of the previous year’s World Series, where Pages made a leaping catch that prevented Clement from securing a walk-off hit in the bottom of the ninth. Clement commented on the play, stating he “had to get him back for what he did to us in the World Series.” He also expressed admiration for Pages’ playing style, calling him a “good dude” who made one of the best plays in postseason history given the circumstances. Clement’s first defensive opportunity was also strong, as he secured a 106.8 m.p.h. hit off Kyle Schwarber’s bat for the final out of the third inning.
At the plate, Clement grounded out to first in the second inning against Arizona Diamondbacks southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez and grounded out to third in the fourth inning against Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo. Clement was later replaced by Cleveland Guardians rookie Travis Bazzana at second base in the bottom of the sixth. Clement and Blue Jays first-base coach Mark Budzinski also honoured broadcaster Buck Martinez by displaying his name on their Stand Up to Cancer placards during the game.
Pitching performances from Cease and Varland
Dylan Cease delivered a strong performance in his lone inning of work, striking out three of the four National League batters he faced. He began by striking out Kyle Schwarber on seven pitches, using a mix of fastballs and a slider. Cease then struck out Juan Soto on four pitches. Although he walked Freddie Freeman after a nine-pitch battle, he quickly recovered to strike out CJ Abrams, completing a scoreless inning. Cease threw 25 pitches, averaging 97.4 m.p.h. with his fastball and generating six swinging strikes.
Louis Varland entered the game in the bottom of the eighth inning, with the American League holding a 4-0 lead. He started his appearance by striking out Washington Nationals star James Wood on six pitches, utilizing a 100.2 m.p.h. sinker. Despite surrendering a one-out single to Pete-Crow Armstrong, Varland quickly induced a soft lineout from Hunter Goodman on one pitch and a ground out to third from Iván Herrera on two pitches. Varland threw 11 pitches in his scoreless outing, averaging 97.4 m.p.h. with his fastball and incorporating his triple-digit sinker, knuckle curve, slider, and changeup.
Clement’s selection marks him as the fourth Blue Jays second baseman to start the All-Star Game, joining Marcus Semien, Aaron Hill, and Roberto Alomar. Clement is a six-year veteran who has played for Cleveland, the Oakland Athletics, and the Blue Jays. He achieved a major league record for most hits in a postseason last year with 30, during the Blue Jays’ run to the World Series.
The 30-year-old Clement has had a strong season, batting .296 with eight homers, 32 RBIs, and a .318 on-base percentage. His OPS+ stands at 102, contributing to a Blue Jays lineup that has faced multiple injuries, including George Springer, Anthony Santander, Alejandro Kirk, and Addison Barger. Santander has not played this season due to offseason surgery on his left labrum.
In other Blue Jays news, the organization’s selection of right-hander Spencer Miles in the Rule-5 Draft last winter has proven successful. Miles holds a 4-1 record with a 2.85 ERA at the All-Star Break, having appeared in 26 games and starting three, throwing 60 innings and striking out 57 batters.
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Source: sportsnet.ca
