Phillies' Zack Wheeler Rips MLB All-Star Game Roster Snub After Win vs. Reds, 'It Pisses Me Off'

For the second straight year, a member of the Philadelphia Phillies' starting rotation called out MLB for missing the cut in the All-Star Game.

The omissions of Cristopher Sánchez and Ranger Suárez didn't go down well in Philly last July. Now, Zack Wheeler was the one feeling snubbed.

The right-hander told reporters he was "for sure" pitching with some added motivation as he struck out 14 batters over seven innings in a 4-1 win over the Cincinnati Reds.

"That was a reminder for whoever needs to be reminded," he said. "So, it pisses me off, and it's kind of B.S. So, maybe if I wasn't necessarily right in there, I wouldn't be saying this. But I feel like I've earned it."

With Tuesday's performance, Wheeler is 9-1 with a 2.28 ERA and a 3.12 FIP. His 199 ERA+ is on pace to be a career high, per Baseball Reference, and he ranks 10th among National League starting pitchers in WAR at FanGraphs.

Phillies interim manager Don Mattingly questioned whether the 36-year-old is a victim of his own consistency from season to season.

"Wheels does not get attention nationally," he said, per The Athletic's Charlotte Varnes. "I think it's the same old thing where you see guys like [Bryce Harper]. You're around long enough and you're good every year. You start to always ask, 'Who's the next new thing? What's the next new thing?' And those guys get a lot of attention. And they probably deserve it, which is fine. But you start to forget about those guys a little bit because they're not on the tip of your tongue."

Kyle Schwarber also backed his teammate when speaking to reporters after Wednesday's game:

For Wheeler and his teammates, the frustration is more acute because Philadelphia is hosting the All-Star Game. Getting to play the Midsummer Classic at your home stadium isn't an opportunity that comes along often.

That door appears to be completely closed for Wheeler.