Phillies' Kyle Schwarber's efforts may not be enough to start the All-Star game
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Phillies' Kyle Schwarber's efforts may not be enough to start the All-Star game originally appeared on The Sporting News. Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
Philadelphia Phillies designated hitter Kyle Schwarber is having a fantastic season after putting together a career year in 2025, where he hit 56 home runs and 132 RBI.
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Hitting a major league-leading 23 home runs, third in slugging percentage (.598) and OPS (.949) and tied for eighth in RBI (40), Schwarber is doing everything he can to win the National League MVP and be named an All-Star. However, as a primary designated hitter, Schwarber has one obstacle in his path that may thwart his chances of being the National League's starting DH: Shohei Ohtani.
Los Angeles Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani may thwart Philadelphia Phillies Kyle Schwarber from being the National League's starting DH
For the past two seasons, the two-way star of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been the National League's starting DH, even though Schwarber has done well enough in that span also to start. For a third straight season, that looks to be the case, as the four-time MVP is slashing .301/.420/.521 with an OPS of .941 and an OPS+ of 165.
More MLB News:Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani seems poised to win his fourth straight MVP award
According to Thomas Harrigan of MLB.com, the fans who vote for the starters may not be able to separate Ohtani's pitching from his hitting.
"Shohei Ohtani has won the fan vote at DH in each of the past five seasons, three in the AL and two in the NL," wrote Harrigan. "He’s the favorite to do so again, especially because it’s tough for voters to separate the hitting version from the pitching version. However, those who can look past Ohtani’s 0.74 ERA and focus strictly on offense will see that Kyle Schwarber has a compelling case to be the NL’s starting DH this year."
Harrigan adds: "After hitting 56 home runs a year ago, Schwarber leads MLB with 23 homers and has the highest slugging percentage (.598) among NL qualifiers in 2026. Ohtani has reached base at a .418 clip, but his home run total (10) and SLG (.518) pale in comparison to Schwarber's."
June has proven to be the best month for Schwarber -- in his career (210 games), the 33-year-old is hitting .248 with a .914 OPS, 68 home runs and 149 RBI -- which could help his chances to overtake Ohtani.
More MLB News:
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- Nationals' James Wood is putting together an MVP-level season
- Phillies hope Trea Turner can get going as the calendar shifts to June
- Phillies' Kyle Schwarber seems poised to finish second fiddle for MVP again
- Rays hope Chandler Simpson can get going as the calendar shifts to June