Dylan Cease named American League All-Star Game starter

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dylan Cease. IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Blue Jays' ace Dylan Cease named American League All-Star Game starter

By Vanessa Serrao | Last updated Jul 12, 2026 3:19 PM ET

Toronto Blue Jays starting pitcher Dylan Cease has been named the American league starter for the All-Star Game following Cam Schlitter announcing that he won't be pitching in the event. Cease leads the AL with 148 strikeouts this season and ranks second in all of baseball. He has also recorded much-improved 2.56 ERA from his 4.55 ERA with the San Diego Padres last season.

Cease will be facing Cristopher Sanchez who will be starting for the National League, making for an exciting pitching matchup in this year's ASG with two dominant strikeout leaders, as Sanchez remains within close reach of Cease with 144 strikeouts this season.

This is Cease's first All-Star nod and he will be the first Blue Jays starter to start the Midsummer Classic since Roy Halladay in 2009. Aside from Halladay, Cease will also join former 1983-84 AL ASG starter Dave Stieb and David Wells in 2000, making him part of elite company with past Blue Jays ASG starters.

Cease is worthy of the start following his dominance for Toronto this season. He was three outs away from recording his second no-hitter on July 8.

Dylan Cease will start the All-Star Game for the American League

Cease has a 2.56 ERA and an AL-leading 148 strikeouts in 17 starts. It's his first time ever being named an All-Star pic.twitter.com/mWOFI7wvFO
— Talkin' Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 12, 2026

Dylan Cease is having best season with Toronto

The 30-year-old's All-Star nod adds to his strong season, who has continued to be the saving grace in the Blue Jays rotation with his masterful performances.

Cease has demonstrated his strong ability to paint the corners of the strike zone, with his fastball, changeup and slider combination providing him with a ton of swings-and-misses. Both his slider and changeup have produced elite whiff rates of 43.8% and 56.9%.

Watching Cease dominate the strike zone this season has been entertaining. Now, he's gaining the recognition that he deserves as one of the top starters in the AL.

Vanessa Serrao

Serrao is a freelance baseball writer who has covered all MLB teams, with particular expertise on the Toronto Blue Jays. She is a member of the Internet Baseball Writers Association of America.

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