Nine starting pitchers were named to the National League All-Star team ahead of the Midsummer Classic, but only one of them will be making the start for the Senior Circuit in the MLB All-Star Game.
The votes are in and the rosters are set. Major League Baseball has officially announced the majority of the players who will be representing their clubs in the 87th annual MLB All-Star Game on July 12 in San Diego, California. The best players in the league will be thrust onto one field to showcase their talents and fight for home-field advantage in the World Series.
In the National League, nine starting pitchers from seven different teams were selected to fill up the pitching staff. From three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw to 2014 World Series MVP Madison Bumgarner to former Rookie of the Year Jose Fernandez, the roster is stacked with some of the top arms in the game.
New York Mets manager Terry Collins is tasked with tackling one of the biggest questions surrounding the Midsummer Classic: who will be the starting pitcher for the National League? While Kershaw (11-2, 1.79 ERA) appeared to be the obvious choice less than a month ago, a herniated disc in his back earned the Dodgers ace a trip to the disabled list. Now, the field is wide open for Collins to choose from.
So who will be taking the mound in the first inning of Tuesday’s exhibition game between the best squads baseball has to offer? Three candidates stand out among the rest, but only one will be given the honor.
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