It's been a strong season for Canadians Otto Lopez, Cade Smith and Tristan Peters, earning the trio spots in the 2026 MLB All-Star Game.
The three Canucks each made their first career appearance in the Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia on Tuesday, with Smith and Peters suiting up for the American League and Lopez representing the National League.
Lopez was named an all-star after a first half that saw him finish as MLB's leader in hits and set the Miami Marlins franchise record for base knocks before the break. The Dominican Republic-born, Montreal-raised shortstop totalled 127 hits while batting .334 with nine homers, six triples and 17 stolen bases.
Smith has continued his ascent into one of MLB's elite closers with the Cleveland Guardians in 2026. The Abbotsford, B.C., native collected an MLB-best 28 saves in the first half while striking out 63 hitters and carrying a 2.84 ERA.
Peters, finally, was named an all-star replacement on Saturday amid a breakout rookie season. The nod came one day after the Winkler, Man., native hit for the cycle for the Chicago White Sox. On the year, Peters is slashing .301/.354/.478 with six home runs and 20 doubles.
Here is a look at how all three fared in Tuesday's All-Star Game:
Otto Lopez
Lopez entered as a defensive replacement in the top of the sixth, taking over for Washington Nationals' CJ Abrams at shortstop.
He logged his first at-bat of the night in the bottom of the seventh, striking out against Tampa Bay Rays righty Drew Rasmussen after a six-pitch battle.
Lopez came up once again with two outs in the bottom of the ninth, facing another Ray in closer Bryan Baker. After taking a fastball for a strike at the top of the zone, the Marlins all-star lined a 99.4-m.p.h. single into right field to extend the game.
Cade Smith
Smith came out of the bullpen in the bottom of the sixth and proceeded to work a 1-2-3 inning.
He opened the frame by getting Milwaukee Brewers catcher William Contreras to fly out to right field on the third pitch of his leadoff at-bat.
Smith then locked in his strikeout stuff. First, he dispatched hometown hero Bryce Harper, getting the two-time MVP to chase a splitter below the zone for strike three.
Harper, who was mic'd up on the U.S. broadcast, apologized after his pass at the tumbling splitter came up empty.
"Yeah, that's disgusting, guys. Sorry about that," he said.
Next up was Corbin Carroll, who Smith sent back to the dugout on four pitches — running his fastball up to 99.4 m.p.h. to get the Arizona Diamondbacks outfielder swinging.
The 27-year-old needed just 12 pitches to retire the side, averaging 98.3 m.p.h. across seven fastballs while mixing in three sweepers and one splitter.
Tristan Peters
Peters took over for Cody Bellinger in the bottom of the sixth in right field.
The 26-year-old was matched up with Los Angeles Dodgers southpaw Justin Wrobleski in the top of the eighth, but went down looking on three pitches — with the final offering of the at-bat standing up to Peters' ABS challenge.
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