Red Sox Land Aroldis Chapman, Ranger Suarez In All-Star Game

[Steve Drumwright]

 

Despite being in last place in the AL East, the Boston Red Sox are sending two players to the All-Star Game.

Left-handed closer Aroldis Chapman and left-handed starter Ranger Suarez were named to the AL roster for the July 14 All-Star Game at Philadelphia's Citizens Bank Park. It is the ninth trip to the All-Star Game for Chapman and the second for Suarez, who played his first eight seasons for the Philadelphia Phillies.

Chapman, a two-time AL Reliever of the Year, has 17 saves in 27 appearances this season with a 2.10 ERA. Chapman just surpassed Hoyt Wilhelm record for career strikeouts by a reliever with his 1,364th.

Suarez will be heading back to Philadelphia sporting a 2.94 ERA in 16 starts, posting a 7.2% walk rate and 25.5% strikeout rate.

The nine starters for each team were determined by two rounds of fan balloting, with Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani and Toronto Blue Jays second baseman Ernie Clement getting automatically selected to start by virtue of leading the first round in the NL and AL, respectively.

The 23 reserves, which includes 12 pitchers as that position is not up for voting, are selected by player voting and the Commissioner's Office, which ensures that each team has a representative in the game.

 

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