Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips won the fan vote and will start for the National League's All-Star squad this year. That's a good lookin' right side of the infield. For Votto, it's his second straight start and fourth selection. It will be BP's first start and third AS appearance. It's Aroldis Chapman's second selection. C. Trent tweeted that Aroldis' parents - who arrived in the U.S. this past January - will be in attendance.
Here's the NL starters:
C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals (top vote-getter)
1B: Joey Votto, Reds
2B: Brandon Phillips, Reds
SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
3B: David Wright, Mets
OF: Carlos Beltran, Cardinals
OF: Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies
OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals
The reserves are:
C: Buster Posey, Giants
1B: Paul Goldschmidt, D-backs
1B: Allen Craig, Cardinals
2B: Matt Carpenter, Cardinals
2B: Marco Scutaro, Giants
SS: Everth Cabrera, Padres
SS: Jean Segura, Brewers
3B: Pedro Alvarez, Pirates
OF: Domonic Brown, Phillies
OF: Michael Cuddyer, Rockies
OF: Carlos Gomez, Brewers
OF: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
You know that final vote thing that Votto won a few years back? Here are the NL's five candidates: Desmond, WAS; Freeman, ATL; Gonzalez, LA; Pence, SF; Puig, LA. You can vote here.
The pitchers are:
LHP: Madison Bumgarner, Giants
LHP: Aroldis Chapman, Reds
LHP: Patrick Corbin, D-backs
RHP: Jose Fernandez, Marlins
RHP: Jason Grilli, Pirates
RHP: Matt Harvey, Mets
LHP: Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
RHP: Craig Kimbrel, Braves
LHP: Cliff Lee, Phillies
LHP: Jeff Locke, Pirates
RHP: Adam Wainwright, Cardinals
LHP: Travis Wood, Cubs
RHP: Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals
Even with possibly the best starting rotation in the league, it's hard to say whether any of the Reds' SPs were robbed. Leake had the best statistical case based on his first-half numbers, but I'm always hesitant to pick All-Stars based on a couple of months.
There's also a bit of an ex-Red flavor to this year's ASG. Travis Wood and Edwin Encarnacion were both named All-Stars for the first time. Bully for them.
The Mets play host this year. The game is next Tuesday, July 16, at 8 p.m. Go Senior Circuit - it's my favorite league!