2013 MLB All Star Game: American League Snubs

Grant Balfour, pitcher, Oakland Athletics

Jul 2, 2013; Oakland, CA, USA; Oakland Athletics relief pitcher Grant Balfour (50) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the ninth inning at O.Co Coliseum. The Oakland Athletics defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-7. Mandatory Credit: Ed Szczepanski-USA TODAY Sports

How does a pitcher who is 22-for-22 in save opportunities for a first-place team not selected to not only the all-star team?

The same pitcher wasn’t even selected to be on the final five vote for the fans to decide.

Welcome to the world of Athletics closer Grant Balfour.

Balfour is fourth in the AL in saves with 22, but he’s not only perfect entering Sunday’s games in save opportunities this year, but has a streak of 40 consecutive saves dating back to last season. By the way … he’s to only AL reliever who hasn’t blown a save this season.

In my humble opinion, this is the biggest snub of any player in the AL.

His ERA is 1.82 in 34.2 innings pitched. He’s allowed just seven runs and 13 walks in 36 games played this season. He’s struck out 35 and held opponents to a .198 batting average.

Balfour should be an all star, no doubt about it.