Blue Jays ace Cease to start for American League in All-Star Game

Toronto Blue Jays ace Dylan Cease will be the starting pitcher for the American League during Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Philadelphia, the team announced on Sunday.

Cease will join Roy Halladay (2009) and Dave Stieb (1983 and 1984) as the only Jays pitchers to get the start in the Midsummer Classic.

The 30-year-old righty is having a very strong first year in Toronto, producing a 6-4 record alongside a 2.56 earned-run average and an AL-leading 148 strikeouts across 17 starts and 98.1 innings pitched.

He also leads the American League in fWAR (3.7), K/9 (13.55) and FIP (2.20).

The native of Milton, Georgia is coming off the best start of his season, nearly throwing a no-hitter against the San Francisco Giants - one hit, three walks and 11 strikeouts over eight innings - in a 10-0 rout on Wednesday.

Cease spent time on the Injured List earlier this year after suffering a left hamstring injury on May 24.

Cease, who finished second in Cy Young voting in 2022 as a member of the Chicago White Sox, signed a massive seven-year, $210 million contract with the Jays in the winter.

An eight-year veteran, Cease spent the first six years of his career with the White Sox before playing the past two with the San Diego Padres.

Blue Jays manager John Schneider will be the bench boss for the AL after leading his team to the World Series last season.

New York Yankees ace Cam Schlittler was also in the running to start in the All-Star Game, but announced on Sunday he will attend but not pitch in the game.