On Sunday, the starters for both leagues in the 2015 All-Star Game were announced, and Bryce Harper was the only Washington Nationals player to appear on the list of starters. Who else from the team could join him?
The best bets are starter Max Scherzer — who’s a lock after the run he’s had lately — and Drew Storen, who’s been the anchor of a maligned but improving bullpen. But Storen’s no lock, not with the rule that a player has to be taken from each team. Even bad teams have good closers.
The roster is comprised of 34 players, so here’s my guess as to how it’ll all shake out.
The Starters
OF: Harper, Giancarlo Stanton (MIA)*, Matt Holliday (STL)**
3B: Todd Frazier (CIN)
SS: Jhonny Peralta (STL)
2B: Dee Gordon (MIA)
1B: Paul Goldschmidt (ARI)
C: Buster Posey (SFG)
*indicates DL, will not play.
**indicates DL, may play.
The Reserves
OF: Andrew McCutchen (PIT), Starling Marte (PIT). Joc Pederson (LAD), Ryan Braun (MIL)
3B: Nolan Arenado (COL), Kris Bryant (CHC), Mikael Franco (PHI)
SS: Brandon Crawford (SFG), Troy Tulowitzki (COL)
2B: Kolton Wong (STL), Joe Panik (SFG)
1B: Anthony Rizzo (CHC), Adrian Gonzalez (LAD)
C: Derek Norris (SDP), Miguel Montero (CHC)
The Pitchers
Starters: Max Scherzer (WAS), Zack Greinke (LAD), Gerrit Cole (PIT), Jacob deGrom (NYM), Michael Wacha (STL), Jake Arrieta (CHC), Madison Bumgarner (SFG), Carlos Martinez (STL).
Relievers: Drew Storen (WAS), Mark Melancon (PIT), Aroldis Chapman (CIN), Jason Grilli (ATL).