Boston Red Sox

Five Red Sox Players Selected to 2018 American League All-Star Team

Mookie Betts made it for the third straight year and is joined by four other Red Sox players

Baseball unveiled the All-Star Game rosters for its midsummer showcase on Sunday night, and the American League team features five Boston Red Sox players.

The Red Sox, along with the Astros and Indians, lead the way with five selections apiece.

Mookie Betts made it for the third straight year as a starting AL outfielder. J.D. Martinez will be the starting designated hitter. Both Craig Kimbrel and Chris Sale will be on the pitching squad. And first baseman Mitch Moreland is a first time All-Star as an AL player reserve. 

In addition, Red Sox outfielder Andrew Benintend can still be selected as the final player on the American League's roster via the 2018 Camping World MLB All-Star Final Vote, in which fans choose from a list of five players from each league. The highest vote-getter from each will be added to his respective club.

Betts is part of a dream outfield for the AL, alongside Mike Trout and Aaron Judge, while Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer make up a not-so-gracious welcome committee for the NL.

Power in the center of power. A capital-sized All-Star Game.

Betts is batting .342 with 22 homers for the major league-leading Boston Red Sox. Trout is working on perhaps the best season of his stellar career with the Los Angeles Angels. And Judge has 25 homers and 58 RBIs for the New York Yankees, but that's just the beginning for the AL.

Houston Astros second baseman and reigning AL MVP Jose Altuve led the fan balloting with 4.8 million votes. Baltimore Orioles shortstop Manny Machado will make the short trip down to D.C. for the July 17 game with speculation increasing about his future ahead of the trade deadline.

Chicago White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu, Cleveland Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez, Red Sox designated hitter Martinez and Tampa Bay Rays catcher Wilson Ramos round out the AL's starting lineup.

Harper was voted a starter for the fourth straight year. The slugger, who is eligible for free agency after this season, is batting just .218 for the disappointing Nationals, but he has 21 homers and 50 RBIs.

Nick Markakis and Matt Kemp will join Harper in the NL outfield. Markakis has been a key performer for the surprising Atlanta Braves and made it for the first time in 13 major league seasons. Kemp's return to the Los Angeles Dodgers has been a smashing success.

The Chicago Cubs will have two starters after catcher Willson Contreras and second baseman Javier Baez each won a close race at their position in fan balloting. Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, Colorado Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado and Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford round out the NL starting lineup.

Scherzer was selected for the sixth time. The three-time Cy Young Award winner is 11-5 with a 2.33 ERA and could get the start in his home ballpark.

The 2018 All-Star Game takes place Tuesday, July 17 in Washington D.C.'s Nationals Park. The Home Run Derby is the night before.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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