The 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia is just a day away. Six players will represent the Phillies, including Brandon Marsh (starter), pitchers Jhoan Duran, Cristopher Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo, first baseman Bryce Harper and designated hitter Kyle Schwarber.
The 2026 festivities kicked off on July 10 with the HBCU Swingman Classic. The National League will look for a second consecutive victory over the American League after winning last year in a first-ever, Home Run Derby-style swing-off — the tiebreaker, as the game was tied 6-6 after nine innings.
The Phillies are hosting the All-Star Game for the fourth time in their history — but it will be the first time at Citizens Bank Park. The voice of Phillies legend Dan Baker will soon boom throughout the ballpark. It marks a historic third time that he has announced the All-Star game, dating back to 1976. Baker has been the public address announcer for the Philadelphia Phillies since 1972. In our conversation, he took pride in recalling the Phillies’ All-Stars from 1976, 1996, and 2026 by heart. Baker hopes to work another six years at least, reaching a milestone 60th year announcing with the Phillies. He is currently the longest-tenured active public address announcer in baseball.
St. Louis outfielder Jordan Walker played spoiler and homered on his last five swings to knock off Phillies slugger Kyle Schwarber and silence the Philly crowd in the final round, becoming the first Cardinal to win the Home Run Derby on Monday night. Schwarber hit 11 homers during his 15-swing turn in the final round. Philly fans, who booed everyone but Schwarber and Bryce Harper throughout the night, quietly headed toward the exits when Walker’s winning shot soared over the left field wall.
Results: Jordan Walker wins 2026 Home Run Derby! Finals: Jordan Walker (12) defeats Kyle Schwarber (11). Semifinals: Walker (6) defeats Junior Caminero (5); Schwarber (9) defeats Willson Contreras (8). Round 1 results: Contreras: 13; Walker: 13; Caminero: 12; Schwarber: 10; Munetaka Murakami: 9; Jac Caglianone: 8; Bryce Harper: 8; Ben Rice: 7.
Schwarber puts a big number on the board to put a lot of pressure on Jordan Walker, swatting 11 home runs in his 15 swings, including seven of 400-plus feet — and a couple that snuck just over the wall. He goes HR, HR, out, out, HR, HR, HR, HR, out, HR, out, HR, HR, HR, HR, out. This was the most exciting moment of the night. Willson Contreras had two swings to tie Kyle Schwarber. The fans booing like it’s Apollo Creed trying to knock out Rocky Balboa. Contreras pops up to shallow center field. The crowd goes wild. One last swing. Contreras nearly gets hit by a pitch. The crowd cheers. Then another pop-up. Contreras is out. The hometown hero moves on.
The 2026 MLB All-Star Weekend has arrived in the City of Brotherly Love, and the host team, the Philadelphia Phillies, is at the center of attention for all the major events. With Bryce Harper and Kyle Schwarber set to take part in the Home Run Derby and Cristopher Sánchez making the start for the National League on Tuesday, time will tell if anyone will be able to steal the spotlight. Phillies beat writer Matt Gelb of The Athletic discussed the headlines surrounding the host team, including Zack Wheeler, who turned down the opportunity to be named an All-Star replacement after feeling disrespected. They also discussed why it took so long for the All-Star Game to return to Philadelphia and what would happen if Bryce Harper were to face off against Kyle Schwarber in the Derby. Other news surrounding the 96th edition of the Midsummer Classic includes the latest roster additions and the disappointment of Shohei Ohtani not participating in the game.
