Boston Red Sox
Willson Contreras did not make the initial American League All-Star roster.
Ranger Suarez will be returning to Philadelphia for the 2026 All-Star game. (AP Photo/David Zalubowski)
The Red Sox will be represented in this year’s MLB All-Star game by a pair of pitchers.
Closer Aroldis Chapman and veteran starter Ranger Suarez both earned All-Star bids for their stellar 2026 seasons. No Boston position players made the AL All-Star team, although Willson Contreras could be high on the list of alternates if any AL players drop out of the game.
Chapman has been dominant as a closer throughout his career, and he’s been a consistent force for the Red Sox. On Friday night, he set the record for most career strikeouts among relievers.
In 2026, Chapman has a 2.10 ERA and 33 strikeouts across his 25.2 innings. He has 17 saves so far as well.
Suarez hasn’t always been strikeout-heavy this season, but he’s been very effective as a starter for Boston.
The Red Sox needed a big lift from their pitching staff once Garrett Crochet went on IL earlier this season, and Suarez played a significant role in keeping the unit stable through that time. He’s leading a very young group with Payton Tolle, Connelly Early, and Jake Bennett.
Suarez has a 2.94 ERA through 16 starts this season. He’s also accumulated 92 strikeouts across his 88.2 innings pitched.
And as the All-Star game is taking place in Philadelphia this year, Suarez will have some extra juice heading into his outing. He played his entire career for the Phillies before joining Boston this offseason.
“We all know my history there,” Suarez told reporters. “But I think the most important thing is, wherever it is, go there and enjoy it. That’s the main thing.”
Ranger Suarez on returning to Philly for his 2nd All-Star Game:
“We all know my history there… I think the most important thing is just, wherever it is, go there and enjoy it.” 🥹 pic.twitter.com/wZseEilYQv
— NESN (@NESN) July 5, 2026
As for Contreras, the first baseman is having one of the best seasons of his career. With 18 home runs already, he’s on pace to break his career-high of 24, which he set in 2019.
The slugger lost out to Vladimir Guerrero Jr., but Guerrero declined his All-Star invite to focus on healing up for the second half of the season. So even though Contreras wasn’t named to the initial roster, he might have a path to Philadelphia anyway.
But for now, it’ll just be Suarez and Chapman representing the Red Sox at the 2026 MLB All-Star game.
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