Full Breakdown
2026 MLB All-Star Game Starters and Phase-2 Finalists Announced
6/26/2026, 4:10:21 AM
Starters and Finalists
On Thursday, MLB announced 2026 All-Star starters. Shohei Ohtani (Los Angeles Dodgers) secured the NL DH spot, while Toronto’s Ernie Clement was named AL second-base starter. Release listed Phase-2 finalists, with the Dodgers fielding seven candidates.
Voting Timeline
All-Star voting has two phases. Phase 1 selected the top two finishers at each position and six outfielders, advancing them to Phase 2. Phase 2 opens Monday 9 a.m. PT, runs three days, and closes Thursday, July 2. Votes can be cast via MLB website, app, or club site.
Dodgers’ Finalists
Dodgers have seven finalists: Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman, Will Smith, Max Muncy, Mookie Betts, Teoscar Hernández, and Andy Pages. Angels’ Phase-2 candidate is Mike Trout, 11-time All-Star returning from a right-hamstring strain.
Performance and Vote Totals
Ohtani posted a .295/.414/.549 slash line, 15 doubles, 17 homers, 46 RBI in 73 games; he topped Phase 1 voting, earning the NL DH start. Clement logged 20 doubles (tied AL lead), seven homers and 28 RBI in 77 games. Among Dodgers finalists, Freeman received 2,666,008 votes, Smith 1,871,805, Muncy 2,890,181, and Pages led NL outfielders with 2,158,664 votes. Trout finished second in AL outfield voting behind Aaron Judge.
Official Statements
Theo DeRosa, analyst, said Will Smith’s .720 OPS does not preclude him from becoming first NL catcher to start consecutive All-Star Games since Willson Contreras, if he outpolls Drake Baldwin. DeRosa noted Mookie Betts, with a .705 OPS after an oblique strain, could still start if he beats CJ Abrams in Phase 2.
Criticism
Critics cite Smith’s neck injury and Betts’s slump as evidence fan-driven voting may elevate players whose performance falls short of typical starter standards.
Verbatim Quotes
- “When it first came up a couple years ago that 2026 would be in Philly, that was one I really wanted to get to,” — Mike Trout, Angels
- “So to be up there in the voting means a lot. Hope I get in.” — Mike Trout, Angels
- “Smith has just six homers and a career-low .720 OPS, but he could be the first NL backstop to start consecutive All-Star Games since Willson Contreras in 2018 and 2019 if he can beat out [Atlanta Braves catcher Drake] Baldwin,” — Theo DeRosa, analyst
- “Betts hasn’t performed great overall (.705 OPS), but he still has a chance to represent the NL in the Midsummer Classic — and even to start, if he can beat out [Washington Nationals shortstop CJ] Abrams in Phase 2,” — Theo DeRosa, analyst
What’s Next
Phase-2 voting ends July 2, after which starters will be announced. The All-Star Game is scheduled for July 14 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, 40 miles from Mike Trout’s New Jersey hometown. Fans can vote via MLB website, app, or club portal until deadline.
