While there was an inkling of thought that Anaheim's Joe Saunders and his 12 wins would be starting for the AL squad in the upcoming All-Star game, a report at Sports Illustrated gives the nod to our very own Cliff Lee. And deservedly so.
Cliff Lee, who had to fight for a job in Cleveland's rotation this spring, will be the starting pitcher for the AL, the Post reported. Lee is 11-1 with a 2.26 ERA.
He'll go against Arizona's Brandon Webb, who will be playing in his third consecutive All-Star game and getting his first starting assignment.
Given near-normal run support, Lee would be closer to 14-1 than his current record shows. To think that he was actually "fighting" for that fifth spot in the rotation - and was nearly traded for Pittsburgh's Jason Bay in the off season - is absolutely insane given the way this season has gone.
His return from elbow issues has been amazing, and it would be a travesty if Lee wasn't in the Cy Young talks at the end of the season assuming that he keeps pace.
Grady Sizemore and his league leading 22 home runs will have to wait on the coaches to see if he'll have a spot in the mid-summer classic. Ichiro, Manny Ramirez and Texas' Josh Hamilton will be starting for the American League. Can the second worst team in the league get two players aboard the All-Star team?
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Update: Sizemore did in fact get named as a reserve. He'll be making his third All-Star appearance. That Colon trade looks better and better every day.
Cliff Lee, who had to fight for a job in Cleveland's rotation this spring, will be the starting pitcher for the AL, the Post reported. Lee is 11-1 with a 2.26 ERA.
He'll go against Arizona's Brandon Webb, who will be playing in his third consecutive All-Star game and getting his first starting assignment.
Given near-normal run support, Lee would be closer to 14-1 than his current record shows. To think that he was actually "fighting" for that fifth spot in the rotation - and was nearly traded for Pittsburgh's Jason Bay in the off season - is absolutely insane given the way this season has gone.
His return from elbow issues has been amazing, and it would be a travesty if Lee wasn't in the Cy Young talks at the end of the season assuming that he keeps pace.
Grady Sizemore and his league leading 22 home runs will have to wait on the coaches to see if he'll have a spot in the mid-summer classic. Ichiro, Manny Ramirez and Texas' Josh Hamilton will be starting for the American League. Can the second worst team in the league get two players aboard the All-Star team?
**
Update: Sizemore did in fact get named as a reserve. He'll be making his third All-Star appearance. That Colon trade looks better and better every day.
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