Big Tex, All-Star? Miller shines once again with 7 scoreless innings, 8 K's

SEATTLE -- He might not have the volume of the sport’s other top starters, but at this rate, Bryce Miller sure is pitching like an All-Star.

After another dynamite performance for the Mariners in Thursday night’s 1-0 win over the Angels, Miller might be making a late case to be selected to this year’s Midsummer Classic on July 14 in Philadelphia.

“After I missed seven starts or whatever to start the year, it hasn't even crossed my mind,” said Miller, who carried a no-hitter into the seventh inning to help Seattle secure a three-game sweep. “I just kind of figured that I didn't have a chance. But I mean, if they want to put me in there, I'd be super grateful.”

Miller, the Mariners’ electric and affable right-hander, was untouchable until his seventh and final frame, which came immediately after Cal Raleigh drew a bases-loaded walk on nine pitches that accounted for the night’s lone run on either side.

Superstitions were not in play, either, because Miller said the no-no was firmly on his mind, all the way back in the opening act.

“I thought about it in the first,” Miller said with a wry smile and his signature Texas drawl. “Any time I get through the first, second, third, whatever, I’m like, ‘Oh, that was a good inning.’”

Miller racked up eight strikeouts and -- for the fourth straight start -- did not issue a walk, capping the night with 90 pitches and continuing this stretch of supreme efficiency.

The lone blemishes against him were two soft singles in that final frame, each of which were playable but would’ve necessitated pretty remarkable defensive catches.

Nolan Schanuel laced a ball 67 mph into no-man’s land in shallow right field that ended the no-hit bid, as three Seattle defenders all arrived but a moment late. Then, Denzer Guzman yanked one 73.4 mph in the same area that nicked off Weston Wilson’s glove, as the replacement right fielder attempted to make a diving catch.

“I would have preferred about a 120 [mph] line drive,” Miller said. “I feel like they didn't really earn those two hits. But it's all right. They fall sometimes.”

Wilson had taken over for Luke Raley, who became the Mariners’ third center fielder of the night in the fifth inning, after Julio Rodríguez (concussion protocols) and Victor Robles (hit-by-pitch on right wrist/forearm) were both forced to exit.

Among American League pitchers with at least 50 innings, Miller ranks first in ERA (1.71), WHIP (0.66), strikeout-to-walk rate (12.4) and OPS against (.497).

But again, All-Star bids for starting pitchers are typically strongest for those with the workload to match top-end production, and Miller has pitched roughly half the innings of the sport’s top workhorses. His 52 2/3 innings are tied for the AL’s 73rd-most (for context, George Kirby ranks third and leads the team with 104).

Miller has had nine outings -- eight starts and one piggyback appearance -- after missing the season’s first seven weeks with a left oblique strain that he sustained in Spring Training.

“I feel like I'm finally pitching like how I felt like I should have been pitching, coming off of the '24 season,” Miller said. “This feels like this is what I'm supposed to do and how I'm supposed to pitch. And so, yeah, it's been a lot of fun seeing success and having consistent success.”

What could help Miller’s cause is how many arms typically drop out or are unable to pitch in the Midsummer Classic due to regular-season scheduling. For example, when Logan Gilbert was selected in 2024, he pitched on the final day of the first half, and as such, was not available to take the mound in the All-Star Game two days later.

The Mariners already have four within their rotation who’ve been selected over the past four seasons -- Luis Castillo and Kirby in 2023, Gilbert in 2024 and Bryan Woo in 2025.

If Miller had the same résumé in ‘26 but with a handful more starts, he’d likely be a shoo-in.

“After seeing Logan and Kirby and Woo and Castillo and everybody go, going into the season, it's definitely a goal,” Miller said. “But, starting on the IL kind of pushed it to the backburner.

“Nobody wants to start on the IL -- but it's almost like a blessing in disguise for me, because I was able to kind of like not worry about, ‘'Oh, I need to have certain numbers by this date to get these awards and everything.’ It's kind of like, 'Hey, whatever happens.’”