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This content was machine-translated from the French version.
The American League put on a masterclass on Tuesday evening in Philadelphia. At Citizens Bank Park, in front of a crowd firmly behind the Phillies, the American League All-Stars handed the National League a stinging 4-0 defeat in the 96th All-Star Game. It was a historic evening in more ways than one, marked by Cody Bellingerâs return to form and a show of strength from the pitchers.
Bellinger, seven years on
He hadnât set foot on the pitch at the Midsummer Classic since 2019, when he was still wearing the Dodgersâ jersey.
He hadnât set foot on the pitch at the Midsummer Classic since 2019, when he was still wearing the Dodgersâ jersey. Seven years of waiting, a move to the Yankees, ups and downs â and now Cody Bellinger is back in the spotlight. The first baseman seized the opportunity with quiet authority.
It was all decided in the very first inning. Phillies pitcher Cristopher Sanchez, despite playing at home, loaded the bases with walks before cracking. Bellinger and his Yankees team-mate Ben Rice strung together two RBI hits that gave the AL a three-run lead. It was a lead that was never in doubt. With two runs batted in and unshakeable composure, Bellinger was the logical choice to win the Ted Williams Trophy.
âItâs special, man,â said the hero of the night, visibly moved. âIâm proud to wear this shirt. It means a lot.â He thus joins Derek Jeter, Mariano Rivera and Giancarlo Stanton in the very exclusive club of Yankees who have been named All-Star Game MVP.
A Fortress Called the American League
Whilst Bellinger shone at the crease, it was the American Leagueâs pitching staff that turned the evening into a nightmare for the opposing batters. Just three hits conceded. A total of five runners on base. Fifteen strikeouts. Dizzying figures that, on their own, sum up the National Leagueâs helplessness.
Dylan Cease, making his All-Star Game debut, set the tone by retiring the first three batters in a cathedral-like silence. Michael Wacha, Joe Ryan and Cade Smith then took over with the same surgical precision. âThe standard of the pitchers is incredible,â acknowledged John Schneider, the AL manager. âTo see Luis Arraez and Yandy Diaz struck out several times â you never see that. â
Miguel Vargas added a solo home run in the eighth inning to round off the scoring. For the National League, it was a long evening for the home heroes: Kyle Schwarber, Brandon Marsh and Bryce Harper finished the game with a dismal 0-for-5 and four strikeouts. The home party turned into a nightmare.
A dominance thatâs set to continue
This victory allows the American League to avenge their 7â6 defeat in 2025, which went to a tie-breaker. It also confirms a clear trend: this is the ALâs eleventh win in thirteen editions. Last summerâs interlude, which saw both leagues introduce a âswing-offâ to decide the winner, is now well and truly over.
However, a scare marred the third inning. Rays batter Junior Caminero left the field after being hit on the left hand by a pitch from Riley OâBrien. Fortunately, X-rays revealed nothing serious, and the player said he would be available for the resumption of the regular season this Friday.
The second half of the season promises to be a nail-biter. Bellingerâs Yankees are storming ahead at the top of their division, but the Orioles and the Blue Jays are not giving an inch in an American League that is more unpredictable than ever. In the National League, the Phillies are coming to terms with this humiliating home defeat and will need to refocus quickly if they are to maintain their lead. One thing is certain: the 2026 All-Star Game lived up to all expectations, delivering a spectacle that will be talked about for a long time to come in Philadelphia.
