NEWSLETTER
Last year, the very-very-good Chicago Cubs had seven All-Stars, including the entire starting infield.
This year, the Chicago Cubs are … not as good. Both collectively and individually, and for that reason, it is not shocking to learn tonight that, pending later additions, they’ll have just one All-Star.
And it isn’t a position player. It’s Wade Davis:
Congrats to Wade Davis!
This is his third #ASG selection and first in the National League. #ThatsCub pic.twitter.com/7oCR0hZ7bc
— Chicago Cubs (@Cubs) July 2, 2017
Davis is a fitting selection, having converted a Cubs record 16 straight saves to start the season, and posting his typical excellent numbers (1.93/1.78/2.66, 37.5% K rate, 8.9% BB rate).
You could make an argument for Anthony Rizzo or Kris Bryant as a reserve, but the reality is, their numbers haven’t been quite there this year, especially when there are so many other infielders having huge seasons. I will say that it’s pretty odd that D.J. LeMahieu (.302/.360/.381, 82 wRC+) got a nod over some other players, but whatever.
The starters are selected by the fan vote, and this year, the reserves were not chosen by manager Joe Maddon – instead, they were chosen by a combination of player ballots and the Commissioner’s Office.
We’ll see if any Cubs wind up as Final Vote guys or later additions. For now, it’s just Davis. (SEE UPDATE BELOW)
Although it’s always fun to see Cubs players in the game, if they wind up having no one else go, and their players simply get a nice long break? That wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world.
UPDATE: So there’s a Cub in the Final Vote after all, and it’s Kris Bryant:
Your 2017 @Esurance NL #FinalVote candidates:
Bour, MIA
Bryant, CHC
Rendon, WSH
Reynolds, COL
Turner, LAD pic.twitter.com/TXvyr3MMDh— MLB (@MLB) July 2, 2017
Seriously: how stacked are third base and first base this year in the NL?
The entire rosters:
NL #ASG Starters:
1B: Zimmerman
2B: Murphy
3B: Arenado
SS: Cozart
OF: Harper
OF: Blackmon
OF: Ozuna
C: Posey— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 2, 2017
NL #ASG Reserves:
C Molina
1B Votto
1B Bellinger
1B Goldschmidt
2B Harrison
2B LeMahieu
SS Seager
3B Lamb
OF Conforto
OF Stanton
OF Inciarte— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 2, 2017
NL #ASG Pitchers:
Kershaw
Scherzer
Martinez
Ray
Greinke
Strasburg
Holland
Jansen
Neshek
Davis
Hand
Knebel— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 2, 2017
AL #ASG Reserves:
C: G. Sanchez
1B: Alonso
2B: Schoop
2B: Castro
3B: Sano
SS: Lindor
OF: Betts
OF: Brantley
OF: A. Garcia
DH: Cruz— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 2, 2017
AL #ASG Pitchers:
Sale
Santana
Vargas
Kluber
Fulmer
McCullers
Keuchel
Severino
Darvish
Miller
Kimbrel
Betances— FOX Sports: MLB (@MLBONFOX) July 2, 2017
