Ken Rosenthal makes intriguing Phillies All-Star game selections

The Philadelphia Phillies have thundered back into the conversation for a Major League Baseball Playoffs berth. Following a bad start to the year, Philadelphia is now in second in the National League East. MLB insider Ken Rosenthal is giving his take on who from the team deserves to make the All-Star game.

These players are familiar names to Phillies fans. They include starting pitchers Christopher Sanchez and Zack Wheeler, as well as reliever Jhoan Duran. Designated hitter Kyle Schwarber makes the list, as well as first baseman Bryce Harper.

“Harper’s .908 OPS entering Wednesday ranked ninth in the majors and would be his highest since 2021. He also was last in Outs Above Average at first, but no one watches an All-Star Game to see first basemen pick balls out of the dirt. Playing in his home park, Harper will try like heck to do something dramatic — and chances are, he’ll pull it off,” Rosenthal wrote for The Athletic.

Schwarber is picked at DH for the National League, along with Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani.

“Ohtani will be the actual starter as the top vote-getter in the NL, but Schwarber is practically even with him in OPS and leads in home runs, 30-18,” Rosenthal wrote. “I know it won’t happen, but it would be cool to see Schwarber as the starter in his home park.”

After the firing of Rob Thomson as manager, the Phillies have soared. Don Mattingly got off to a hot start with the team. Even though Philadelphia has had their share of struggles, the club is now 49-38 on the season.

The Phillies play the Pittsburgh Pirates on Thursday. Philadelphia has won seven of the last 10 games. This year’s All-Star Game is scheduled for July 14.