NEWSLETTER
The 2016 MLB All-Star Game is here, and, unlike last night’s Home Run Derby, the Cubs will actually have some participants – seven, to be exact! Well, actually, maybe not. We already know that Dexter Fowler will not be participating in the event, as he continues to recover from a hamstring injury, and that Jake Arrieta might not make an appearance in the game.
Even still, that leaves five Cubs that could see time, including the entire starting infield – Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell and Kris Bryant – as well as Jon Lester out of the pen.
The game is on FOX, and the Pre-Game show begins at 6:30 pm CT (puck drops at 7:00 pm CT).
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Starting for the American League squad is the Chicago South Side ace (and lefty) Chris Sale. Sale, 27, isn’t having much of a trademark season (3.38 ERA, 3.74 FIP), mostly due to a significant drop in strikeouts (and also a particularly terrible outing before the break), but he’s not likely to stop being a great pitcher anytime soon.
Opposing Sale is Giants righty Johnny Cueto. Unlike Sale, Cueto is having one of the best seasons of his career. Having already been worth 3.7 fWAR – thanks to a 2.47 ERA (2.70 FIP) – Cueto is well on pace to exceed his previous high (4.7), set in 2012.
And in case you missed it on Twitter:
I'll donate $25 for every HR by a Chicago Cub in tonight's All-Star Game and $10 for every Cubs hit. Who's with me? https://t.co/cqAgfcEvaZ
— Michael Cerami (@Michael_Cerami) July 12, 2016
I’ve since pledged an additional $10 for every strikeout by a Cubs pitcher. So the finally tally reads something like:
Feel free to join in on these pledges with, but if you can’t afford it, just give what you can or share everything you see! Every single bit genuinely helps. We’ve already guaranteed that Brett will get pelted with ice-cold water balloons, but we still have some distance until we reach our goal!
You can donate to Bleacher Nation’s Make-A-Wish Fundraiser here!
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AL Starting Lineup: Ned Yost, Royals
1. Jose Altuve, 2B (Astros)
2. Mike Trout, CF (Angels)
3. Manny Machado, 3B (Orioles)
4. David Ortiz, DH (Red Sox)
5. Xander Bogaerts, SS (Red Sox)
6. Eric Hosmer, 1B (Royals)
7. Mookie Betts, RF (Red Sox)
8. Salvador Perez, C (Royals)
9. Jackie Bradley Jr., LF (Red Sox)
NL Starting Lineup: Terry Collins, Mets
1. Ben Zobrist, 2B (Chicago Cubs)
2. Bryce Harper, RF (Future Chicago Cub Washington Nationals)
3. Kris Bryant, 3B (Chicago Cubs)
4. Wil Myers, DH (San Diego Padres)
5. Buster Posey, C (San Francisco Giants)
6. Anthony Rizzo, 1B (Chicago Cubs)
7. Marcell Ozuna, CF (Miami Marlins)
8. Carlos Gozalez, LF (Colorado Rockies)
9. Addison Russell, SS (Chicago Cubs)
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For some added fun, let’s check in on the leaders of various categories starting in tonight’s game:
Rates:
Counting Stats:
American League: 8 Leaders
National League: 2 Leaders
My take away: Okay, David Ortiz. We get it. You, too, Jose Altuve. The American League has won three consecutive All-Star Games, but the National League is up two games in the standings, overall. Let’s see if the NL can right the ship (with the Cubs infield leading the way so we can raise some money in the process!). Remember, the winning league gets home-field advantage in the World Series. So it matters! Kinda!
