Javier Baez and Willson Contreras voted as starters for the National League … Cubs have three All-Stars on the NL squad
The Chicago Cubs will be well represented in the All-Star Game next week at Nationals Park. Javier Baez and Willson Contreras will be in Dave Roberts’ starting lineup. And Jon Lester will be available to the Dodgers’ manager, likely used after Max Scherzer in the NL pitching plans.
Javier Baez is the most exciting player in the game not named Mike Trout. Baez is made to play in a game that is supposed to help sell baseball to a younger audience. Baez can do it all on the field.
Javy is hitting .294/.327/.565 this season with 21 doubles, six triples and 17 home runs for a .892 OPS. Baez has 63 RBI on the year.
Willson Contreras is among the best catchers in the game. Willy continues to make strides behind the plate as a receiver and game-caller. At the plate, Contreras is batting .287/.371/.469 with 19 doubles, five triples and seven home runs for a .841 OPS.
After having the starting infield in the 2016 All-Star Game (Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell, Kris Bryant), the Cubs are sending two different players that line up in the dirt to the annual exhibition game between the two leagues.
The starters for the Senior Circuit are Freddie Freeman – 1B (Braves), Javier Baez – 2B (Cubs), Brandon Crawford – SS (Giants), Nolan Arenado – 3B (Rockies), Nick Markakis (Braves), Matt Kemp (Dodgers) and Bryce Harper (Nationals) Outfield, Willson Contreras – C (Cubs)
Jon Lester is an All-Star for the fifth time in his career. Lester is putting up excellent numbers this season and has been the only consistent starter in Joe Maddon’s rotation.
Lester is 11-2 with a 2.25 ERA and 1.15 WHIP.
Albert Almora Jr. deserved to be in D.C. as a reserve on the National League team.
