SteemSports Presenter: Scott Frank, @scottybuckets
SteemSports General Manager: Nolan Jacobson, @theprophet0, STEEM Witness, PeerPlays Witness & DECENT Miner (Witness)
The MLB All-Star game is next Tuesday, July 11th at Marlin Park in Miami and the starting lineups are set. The teams will look much different then last year and if you are a fan of the World Series Champion Chicago Cubs, you may not be watching much.
Starting Line-ups
American League
- First Base: Justin Smoak, Toronto Blue Jays, First Appearance
- Second Base: Jose Altuve, Houston Astros, Fifth Appearance
- Shortstop: Carlos Correa, Houston Astros, First Appearance
- Third Base: Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians, First Appearance
- Catcher: Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals, Fifth Appearance
- Outfielder: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees, First Appearance
- Outfielder: Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels, Sixth Appearance
- Outfielder: George Springer, Houston Astros, First Appearance
- Designated Hitter: Corey Dickerson, Tampa Bay Rays, First Appearance
National League
- First Base: Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals, Second Appearance
- Second Base: Daniel Murphy, Washington Nationals, Third Appearance
- Shortstop: Zack Cozart, Cincinnati Reds, First Appearance
- Third Basemen: Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies, Third Appearance
- Catcher: Buster Posey, San Fransisco Giants, Fifth Appearance
- Outfield: Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals, Fifth Appearance
- Outfield: Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies, Second Appearance
- Outfield: Marcell Ozuna, Miami Marlins, Second Appearance
There are zero Chicago Cubs players on here. For a team that is battling to be above .500, that isn't very surprising. But last year, the entire National League infield was Cubs. Their only player on the team thus far is Wade Davis, relief pitcher. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant are on the final vote ballot.
Those aren't the only “snubs” though. The 2 big snubs from the American League are the Center Fielder, Aaron Hicks from the NY Yankees, who is batting .290 with 10 Home Runs and and a WAR of +2.8 and the Relief Ace, Chris Devenski from the Houston Astros, who is capable of entering the game at any point and going multiple innings. His ERA is 2.23 with a WAR of +1.7.
The 2 big snubs from the National League are the Left Fielder, Adam Duvall from the Cincinnati Reds, who is batting .287 with 19 Home Runs and a WAR of +1.9. He is in the top eight of Homers and slugging percentage. And, the Third Baseman, Jedd Gyorko of the St. Louis Cardinals, who is batting .299 with 12 Home Runs and a WAR of +3.1. The fact the NL is loaded with third baseman doesn't make him any less deserving.
The starting pitchers will be named soon but that often is more of a reflection of who has the most rest. You can catch all the action on Tuesday, July 11th. Let us know who you voted for and why! Cheers!
