Home Articles/Editorials 2015 MLB All-Star Worthy Selections: Starting Pitcher

2015 MLB All-Star Worthy Selections: Starting Pitcher

In KIRS’ final edition of “All Star Worthy Selections”, let’s analyze who should be starting the 86th Annual Mid-Summer Classic for both the American and National League:

 

AL ALL-STARS: STARTING PITCHER CANDIDATES

Chris Archer, Rays: 9-6, 2.74 ERA, 147 Ks, 1.02 WHIP

Felix Hernandez, Mariners: 11-5, 2.84 ERA, 112 Ks, 1.07 WHIP

Dallas Keuchel, Astros: 11-4, 2.23 ERA, 114 Ks, 1.00 WHIP

David Price, Tigers: 9-2, 2.38 ERA, 115 Ks, 1.12 WHIP

Chris Sale, White Sox: 8-4, 2.72 ERA, 157 Ks (Most in AL), 0.95 WHIP

 

NL ALL-STARS: STARTING PITCHER CANDIDATES

Madison Bumgarner, Giants: 9-5, 3.33 ERA, 121 Ks, 1.11 WHIP

Gerrit Cole, Pirates: 13-3 (Most Wins in MLB), 2.30 ERA, 116 Ks

Jacob deGrom, Mets: 9-6, 2.14 ERA, 112 Ks, 0.92 WHIP

Zack Greinke, Dodgers: 8-2, 1.39 ERA, 106 Ks, 0.84 WHIP

Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers: 2.85 ERA, 160 Ks (Best in MLB), 1.02 WHIP

 

KIRS PICKS… Chris Sale and Gerrit Cole. Since his May 12th start against Milwaukee, Sale has struck out 131 batters, averaging nearly 11 strikeouts per start. His once ERA of 5.09 has dropped to 2.72. As of now, Sale is the most feared pitcher in the American League and being the winning pitcher in the 2013 Mid-Summer Classic, he has the experience factor. Making his All-Star Game debut, Cole should be getting the tab to start the game. Max Scherzer would’ve been the favorite if the Nationals waived his Sunday start as he is compiling Cy Young Award numbers (10-7, 2.11 ERA, 150 Ks, 0.78 WIHP).

 

-KIRS ALL-STAR TEAMS-

 

KIRS American League All-Star Team

C: Stephen Vogt, Athletics

1B: Miguel Cabrera, Tigers

2B: Jason Kipnis, Indians

3B: Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays

SS: Jose Reyes, Blue Jays*

LF: Brett Gardner, Yankees

CF: Mike Trout, Angels

RF: Yoenis Cespedes, Tigers*

DH: Nelson Cruz, Mariners

SP: Chris Sale, White Sox

 

KIRS National League All-Star Team

C: Buster Posey, Giants

1B: Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks

2B: Dee Gordon, Marlins

3B: Todd Frazier, Reds

SS: Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals

LF: Bryce Harper, Nationals

CF: Andrew McCutchen, Pirates

RF: Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins

SP: Madison Bumgarner, Giants

 

*Not Selected as 2015 MLB All-Stars

Rich Rivera will turn heads claiming to be a "baseball historian" (jokingly, of course) but the Staten Island native certainly knows his stuff. Since opening up his first pack of 2003 Upper Deck Baseball cards, Rich has been in love with the game. He is an avid fan of the New York Yankees and considers Mariano Rivera (whose unfortunately a non-relative) his all-time favorite athlete. Rich is a graduate of St. John's University, earning his degree in Communication Arts with dreams of becoming an on-air broadcaster for MLB. Currently, Rich serves as the Show Day Coordinator for "CenterStage with Michael Kay" (where he's even made a few brief cameos) at YES Network. He can be heard on the It's Your Radio variety program, "Hit Talkers" every Tuesday night from 8PM to 10PM EST. Rich is also a professional wrestling enthusiast, a theater junkie, and enjoys his weekend mornings as a player-manager for his softball team. Follow Rich on Twitter and Instagram: @RichJRivera

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