Dodgers With 4 All-Stars; Possibly No Starters
Sunday afternoon the 88th Annual MLB All-Star rosters were released, and at the moment the National League’s best team—the Los Angeles Dodgers—has four players set to play in Miami. This may sound like an accomplishment for the team since it is tied for the second most players by any NL team, but unfortunately for the Boys in Blue, no starters were named.
Looking at the Dodger’s 55-29 record and some of the players that have helped them get there, it is a disappointment to not see any starters, but maybe even more surprising to see some of the players that weren’t named to the team at all. This can be the problem that occurs when fan voting is the primary basis for All-Star selections. It is tough to judge whether the increased fan-involvement is worth the risk of these deserving players missing out on accolades.
The Dodgers who have already been selected are shortstop Corey Seager, first-baseman/outfielder Cody Bellinger, starting pitcher Clayton Kershaw and closer Kenley Jansen.
Kershaw, Jansen and Seager have already been named all-stars, along with Cody Bellinger
Seager led the Dodgers in fan votes receiving 2,380,026, but was beaten by Cincinnati Reds SS Zach Cozart, who received 2,466,143. On a brighter note for the team, Bellinger is the youngest position player to be elected in franchise history, Kershaw is heading to his seventh straight ASG and Jansen topped the votes for NL relievers.
It’s not likely... but there’s still a sliver of hope for at least one starter from LA, and with your help one player could be named as the last player on the roster.
Cubs Manager Joe Maddon has been elected an All-Star once again, so it will be his choice who starts on the mound for the NL team and who the designated-hitter will be. In theory, Maddon could select Seager or Bellinger to DH, but it would be more likely for him to choose Miami Marlins outfielder and big-time hitter, Giancarlo Stanton, to hit in front of his own fans at home.
Kershaw is a doubtful start for another reason. His next scheduled start for the Dodgers is just days before the All-Star game which could render him ineligible to start. Given the choice between those two games, it seems that manager Dave Roberts would prefer to Kershaw to pitch for the Dodgers on Sunday than skip a start for a game that doesn’t count towards the team’s record.
Aside from not having any starters, the most surprising of snubs from the roster also wear Dodger Blue. Mainly starting pitcher Alex Wood and third-baseman Justin Turner, who both may have missed due to a lack of games or starts, because their individual stats lead the National League.
Alex Wood was snubbed from the team, but could be a late addition.
Wood has the NL’s best ERA of 1.83 in 73.2 innings and boasts an undefeated record of 9-0 in 12 starts. He also has an outstanding WHIP of 0.91 and only 20 BB.
Justin Turner suffered injuries in this first half of the season that limited him to 58/84 games, but is batting .384 over 212 at-bats. At this point in the season, that is not enough AB’s to have his average qualify in the running for the league leaders, but surprisingly enough Cincinnati’s Cozart qualifies and only has 15 more AB than Turner.
Just as there is a chance to see a Dodger start the game, there is also hope for these two LA players that missed the cut. Justin Turner made the MLB’s Final Vote so it will be up to the fans to vote via social media to elect Turner to the final roster spot over his four other competitors.
Wood’s chance comes from the fact that players in Kershaw’s situation are often replaced by a teammate, and Wood is quite worthy with his performance since joining the Dodger rotation.
The 88th Annual Midsummer Classic is set to start at 5pm on Tuesday July, 11th.
