CINCINNATI, OHIO – SEPTEMBER 19: Chris Sale #51 of the Atlanta Braves walks to the dugout against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park on September 19, 2024 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
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The Philadelphia Phillies entered the second half of the season firmly in the National League playoff race despite enduring an uneven start that ultimately led to a managerial change.
One constant throughout the campaign has been Zack Wheeler, whose return from thoracic outlet surgery has helped stabilize the rotation and keep the Phillies in contention. Yet Wheeler’s performance became a significant talking point after his omission from the National League’s initial All-Star roster sparked widespread debate.
Now, one of the loudest voices who plays for arguably the team’s biggest division rival has joined those defending the Phillies ace.
Atlanta Braves Future Hall Of Famer Chris Sale Defends Philadelphia Phillies Star Amid ‘Drama’
Atlanta Braves left-hander Chris Sale, who earned his tenth All-Star bid this year, was asked about the controversy surrounding Wheeler’s All-Star snub and made it clear that he believed the Phillies veteran deserved stronger consideration, though he also clarified that he didn’t want to become embroiled in any off-field debate.
“I’d like to stay away from the drama as much as possible, but I like Zack a lot, I think he’s one of the best pitchers in our game,” Sale said during an appearance on Foul Territory. “Especially coming back from the surgery he had, I mean that’s, thoracic outlet, that’s not a shoulder cleanout, that’s not even like a Tommy John. That’s a tough one to come back from.”
Sale pointed to Wheeler’s numbers this season, which include a 2.13 ERA across 15 starts so far, to make his division rival’s All-Star case. And he also questioned the selection process without directly criticizing any individual players aside from himself.
“It’s a head-scratcher to say the least,” Sale added. “Those are better than my numbers, and I’m sitting here. So I’ll leave it at that.”
Those comments echoed the frustration expressed by many around baseball after Wheeler was overlooked.
Philadelphia Phillies ‘Drama’ Garners Widespread Attention As Atlanta Braves Star Joins In
Sale hasn’t been the only prominent figure to weigh in on Wheeler’s absence from the All-Star festivities, which took place in Philadelphia.
“Wheeler being left off the National League roster, despite pitching like an All-Star, created quite the uproar among those within baseball, including former and current players,” John Leuzzi noted for USA Today.
Wheeler has returned to elite form despite missing all of spring training and much of the season’s opening month. His performance placed him among the league’s top starters, yet he was left off the original roster assembled by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts.
Although Major League Baseball later extended Wheeler an invitation as a replacement, he declined after being contacted just days before the All-Star break, indicating that he felt the last-minute invite was disrespectful.
Sale’s comments added another respected voice to the growing list of players who believed Wheeler had earned his place from the outset. Praise from a longtime rival and former Cy Young Award winner carries added weight, reinforcing just how highly Wheeler’s comeback season has been regarded throughout the sport.