Blue Jays at 2026 All-Star Game: Clement gets revenge on Pages
Blue Jays make their mark in Philadelphia
The Toronto Blue Jays were well-represented at the 2026 MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia, following their American League pennant victory in 2025. Manager John Schneider and his coaching staff led the AL team, while 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 leads the AL in strikeouts, was chosen by Schneider to start on the mound. This marked him as the fourth Blue Jays pitcher to start the Midsummer Classic. Clement earned his starting spot at second base after leading the fan voting in Phase 1 and was placed ninth in Schneider’s batting order. Varland was selected by his peers after recording a 1.10 ERA and converting 19 of 19 save opportunities in the first half of the season.
Clement’s defensive highlight and World Series rematch
Ernie Clement, a 30-year-old veteran with experience from Cleveland, the Oakland Athletics, and the Blue Jays, had a notable performance. At the plate, Clement grounded out in both of his at-bats, first against Arizona Diamondbacks southpaw Eduardo Rodriguez in the second inning and then against Phillies starter Jesús Luzardo in the fourth.
Defensively, Clement made a spectacular play in the bottom of the fifth inning. He ranged far to his right to field a ground ball hit up the middle by Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Andy Pages. Clement then leaped and threw to first base for the out. This play was a reversal of fortunes from Game 7 of last year’s World Series, where Pages made a leaping catch that robbed Clement of a potential walk-off hit. Clement expressed satisfaction after the game, stating, “I had to get him back for what he did to us in the World Series.” He also secured a 106.8 m.p.h. line drive from Kyle Schwarber for the final out of the third inning. Clement was later replaced by Cleveland Guardians rookie Travis Bazzana in the bottom of the sixth.
Clement and Blue Jays first-base coach Mark Budzinski also honoured longtime broadcaster Buck Martinez during the game by writing his name on their Stand Up to Cancer placards.
Pitching performances from Cease and Varland
Dylan Cease continued his strong season by striking out three of the four National League batters he faced in his single inning of work. He began by striking out Kyle Schwarber on seven pitches and then fanned Juan Soto on four pitches. Cease walked Freddie Freeman after a nine-pitch battle but quickly recovered to strike out CJ Abrams, ending the inning scoreless. He threw 25 pitches in his outing, 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 AL holding a 4-0 lead. He started his appearance by striking out Washington Nationals star James Wood on six pitches. Although Varland allowed a one-out single to Pete-Crow Armstrong, he quickly retired Hunter Goodman with a soft lineout on one pitch and got Iván Herrera to ground out to third on two pitches. Varland threw 11 pitches in his scoreless outing, averaging 97.4 m.p.h. with his fastball and showcasing his triple-digit sinker, knuckle curve, slider, and changeup.
Clement’s selection to start the All-Star Game places him among a limited group of Blue Jays second basemen to achieve this, joining Marcus Semien, Aaron Hill, and Roberto Alomar.
Source: sportsnet.ca
