MLB All-Star Game: An overview of the rosters – Part 8
Bruce Bochy, the manager of San Francisco Giants and also for the National League All-Star Team made a few surprise selections in the pitching staff. Nonetheless, the picks are still worthy and deserve their spot in the roster. The Giants have undoubtedly
gained more than due representation but challenging the selections will yield no fruitful results.
Heath Bell of the San Diego Padres secures a spot in the NL pitching staff and his extraordinary exhibition this season has rightfully paid-off. In 37 games this season, the right-handed pitcher has struck-out 27 batters but his brilliance reflects from
his 26 saves that he has registered. Bell has maintained an impressive ERA of 2.43 and with just 12 runs given away thus far he has the entire arsenal to halt the flow of runs of the opposition. He is surely a worthy pick for the pitching staff.
The right-handed starter for the San Francisco Giants Matt Cain cements his spot in the pitching staff with a dazzling first-half of the season. In 18 games started thus far, Cain has completed 101 strike-outs and has a robust win-loss record of 7-5. He
has a strong arm to compliment his wide range of deliveries, pitching one complete game and an average of 103.5 pitches per game. Cain’s experience will be a commendable addition to the NL bull-pen.
Tyler Clippard of the Washington Nationals makes his way to the NL roster after registering 22 holds thus far in the season. His 22 holds are the highest in NL in 2011 and with 61 strike-outs accompanying the record, he is a firepower not be missed. He has
outshone himself this year and improved dramatically as compared to his previous four years in the Majors and a call-up to the All-Star Game is due recognition for his feat. The pitching staff will be looking forward for Clippard to replicate his ERA of 1.86
of the season in the game on July 12.
Roy Halladay, the long-limbed starter from Philadelphia Phillies, is doing what a pitcher dreams of doing at the mound. This season has been his best so far in his career and getting selected in the NL pitching staff is a laudable award. He is currently
ranked the second in wins (11) and strike-outs (131) with the first in innings pitched (136.1) and complete games (6). Halladay’s fitness has been a benchmark for all pitchers this season and a similar all-round display of arm strength in the All-Star Game
would prove his price tag which is set at $ 20-million. He is a must have in the pitching staff.
Joel Hanrahan has pitched magnificently for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season and an ERA of 1.37 in 39 games summarises his class act. His strength is to halt the flow of runs and he has lived up to it. He has conceded just seven runs and managed 25 saves
thus far in the season. His 25 saves are the third-highest in the NL this season. Hanrahan’s run-stopping ability will be vital for NL’s success in the star-studded meet on July 12. It will be interesting to see how Bochy uses Hanrahan in a pitching staff
that is filled with some of the biggest names. Nonetheless, his experience at the mound will be beneficial for the NL even if he does not to go out there.
Continued in Part 9
Tags: