The 2017 Major League Baseball All-Star Game is set for Tuesday, with the American League and National League clashing at Marlins Park. Although initial rosters were announced a week ago, there were changes with Final Vote winners and replacement players getting added.
In addition, Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer was named the NL starter, while Boston Red Sox southpaw Chris Sale was tabbed as the AL starter. Scherzer went 10-5 in 18 starts during the first half, with a 2.10 ERA, 206 ERA+, 2.61 FIP and 0.78 WHIP.
He was the clear choice for Chicago Cubs manager Joe Maddon, who explained Scherzer was poised to take the ball for the NL even if Clayton Kershaw had remained eligible to pitch in his seventh consecutive All-Star bid.
Sale was 11-4, also in 18 starts, with a 2.75 ERA,168 ERA+, 2.09 FIP and 0.90 WHIP. Sale is the first AL pitcher to start in the All-Star Game since Toronto’s Dave Stieb did so from 1983-84.
Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Justin Turner received a record 20.8 million votes to win the NL Final Vote, and Kansas City Royals third baseman Mike Moustakas won the AL Final Vote. Coincidentally, the Dodgers and Royals partnered to promote one another’s player during the voting process.
Turner defeated Chicago Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, Washington Nationals third baseman Anthony Rendon, Colorado Rockies first baseman Mark Reynolds and Miami Marlins first baseman Justin Bour.
Moustakas finished ahead of Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, New York Yankees shortstop Didi Gregorius, Texas Rangers shortstop Elvis Andrus and Tampa Bay Rays first baseman/designated hitter Logan Morrison.
Dodgers pitcher Alex Wood was the only replacement in the NL, as he takes the spot of Kershaw. Wood’s first All-Star selection was rightfully earned, as he owns a 10-0 record, 1.67 ERA and 0.89 WHIP in 15 appearances (13 starts).
The AL had a total of six replacements. Detroit Tigers outfielder Justin Upton was selected to his fourth All-Star Game, and he’s joined by Seattle Mariners second baseman Robinson Cano. The remaining changes are all to the AL pitching staff.
Rays starter Chris Archer was also added to the Midsummer Classic, along with Houston Astros reliever Chris Devenski, Minnesota Twins closer Brandon Kintzler and Blue Jays closer Roberto Osuna. It’s a first career All-Star Game selection for Devenski, Kintzler and Osuna.
The AL team was set to be managed by Cleveland Indians skipper Terry Francona, however a recent heart procedure required rest and recovery, and Indians bench coach Brad Mills is serving as a replacement.
AL starters
DH: Corey Dickerson (Rays; first selection)
C: Salvador Perez (Royals; fifth)
1B: Justin Smoak (Blue Jays; first)
2B: Jose Altuve (Astros; fifth)
3B: Jose Ramirez (Indians; first)
SS: Carlos Correa (Astros; first)
OF: Aaron Judge (Yankees; first)
OF: George Springer (Astros; first)
OF: Mike Trout (Angels; sixth)
AL reserves
DH: Nelson Cruz (Mariners; fourth)
C: Gary Sanchez (Yankees; first)
1B: Yonder Alonso (Athletics; first)
2B: Starlin Castro (Yankees; fourth)
2B: Jonathan Schoop (Orioles; first)
2B: Robinson Cano* (Mariners; eighth)
3B: Miguel Sano (Twins; first)
3B: Mike Moustakas (Royals; second)
SS: Francisco Lindor (Indians; second)
OF: Mookie Betts (Red Sox; second)
OF: Michael Brantley (Indians; second)
OF: Avisail Garcia (White Sox; first)
OF: Justin Upton* (Tigers; fourth)
AL pitchers
RHP: Chris Archer* (Rays; second)
RHP: Dellin Betances (Yankees; fourth)
RHP: Yu Darvish (Rangers; fourth)
RHP: Chris Devenski* (Astros; first)
RHP: Michael Fulmer (Tigers; first)
LHP: Dallas Keuchel (Astros; second)
RHP: Craig Kimbrel (Red Sox; sixth)
RHP: Brandon Kintzler* (Twins; first)
RHP: Corey Kluber (Indians; second)
RHP: Lance McCullers Jr. (Astros; first)
LHP: Andrew Miller (Indians; second)
RHP: Roberto Osuna* (Blue Jays; first)
LHP: Chris Sale (Red Sox; sixth)
RHP: Ervin Santana (Twins; second)
LHP: Luis Severino (Yankees; first)
LHP: Jason Vargas (Royals; first)
NL starters
C: Buster Posey (Giants; fifth)
1B: Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals; second)
2B: Daniel Murphy (Nationals; third)
3B: Nolan Arenado (Rockies; third)
SS: Zack Cozart (Reds; first)
OF: Charlie Blackmon (Rockies; second)
OF: Bryce Harper (Nationals; fifth)
OF: Marcell Ozuna (Marlins; second)
NL reserves
C: Yadier Molina (Cardinals; eighth)
1B: Paul Godlschmidt (Diamondbacks; fifth)
1B: Joey Votto (Reds; fifth)
2B: Josh Harrison (Pirates; second)
2B: DJ LeMahieu (Rockies; second)
3B: Jake Lamb (Diamondbacks; first)
3B: Justin Turner (Dodgers; first)
SS: Corey Seager (Dodgers; second)
OF: Cody Bellinger (Dodgers; first)
OF: Michael Conforto (Mets; first)
OF: Ender Inciarte (Braves; first)
OF: Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins; fourth)
NL pitchers
RHP: Wade Davis (Cubs; third)
RHP: Zack Greinke (Diamondbacks; fourth)
LHP: Brad Hand (Padres; first)
RHP: Greg Holland (Rockies; third)
RHP: Kenley Jansen (Dodgers; second)
LHP: Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers; seventh)
RHP: Corey Knebel (Brewers; first)
RHP: Carlos Martinez (Cardinals; second)
RHP: Pat Neshek (Phillies; second)
LHP: Robbie Ray (Diamondbacks; first selection)
RHP: Max Scherzer (Nationals; fifth)
RHP: Stephen Strasburg (Nationals; third)
LHP: Alex Wood* (Dodgers; first)
