...I don't even know what I expect anymore.
Maybe I'm just very ADD about the whole thing (and i don't even have that). You announce something a week ago, and you just expect it to remain set in stone for another week. It's probably the same reason I get mad at teams who start in last and make a run halfway through the year. I just want things to stay constant sometimes.
So once again, the best laid plans of managers and men have gone to waste thanks to several bullshit-related things, and we're left with some replacement All-Stars that occasionally might seem questionable. So I'm gonna go over 'em all, starting with the big one.
Who's Missing the Game? Hunter Pence, starting DH from Texas.
Why? Due to an injury that seemed to bring him back soon, but he had a set-back, and now he's missing the game.
Who's Replacing Him? J.D. Martinez, DH for the Red Sox.
How do I feel? Kind of upset? Like, I think we all voted for Pence to get out of the routine of someone like Martinez DHing, Pence gets it, and then...we get Martinez anyway? It's counterproductive as hell.
Who Should be Replacing Him? I mean, I don't think anybody else is more qualified than JD, I just wish Pence could have started.
Who's Missing the Game? Tommy La Stella, impressive 2nd Baseman for the Angels
Why? Injury.
Who's Replacing Him? Brandon Lowe, rookie 2nd baseman for Rays...except he just got injured too, which is karmic.
Who's Replacing HIM? Gleyber Torres, infielder extraordinaire for the Yankees.
How do I feel? I mean, I think this works, and I love Gleyber, but...Gleyber's credited as a 2nd baseman, and DJ LeMahieu is starting at 2nd. So...we have two Yankee second baseman on the All-Star Team. Which is odd.
Who's Missing the Game? Jake Odorizzi, of the Twins
Why? Injury
Who's Replacing Him? Jose Berrios, other hurler for the Twins
How do I feel? This one works, especially considering that both of them are kinda equally great.
Who's Missing the Game? Charlie Morton, standout Rays arm.
Why? Because he's pitching today.
Who's Replacing Him? Shane Bieber, Indians hurler.
How do I feel? I'm mixed on this one. Bieber's fine and all, but if Trevor Bauer wasn't pitching today, I would have gone with him.
Who's Missing the Game? Mike Minor, pitching standout for Texas
Why? Because, and I quote, 'he wants to take extended rest'. I'd go on a rant on why nobody in the MLB seems to respect the ASG, but...I'm already thick into this post.
Who's Replacing Him? Liam Hendriks, reliever specialist for Oakland.
How do I feel? Look, I'm kinda worried about Joey Gallo, because he's the only Texas rep left and he might not even play, but...I like Hendriks, and I like that we have another reliever on the AL team.
Who Should be Replacing Him? I can't really think of another qualified reliever, but...maybe Adam Ottavino?
Who's Missing the Game? Marcus Stroman, of the Blue Jays
Why? Injury
Who's Replacing Him? Masahiro Tanaka, Yankee hero
How do I feel? Well, I have a few issues with this one. Firstly, Stroman's out, so the Blue Jays now don't have any representatives in the All Star Game. The only Toronto personnel headed to Cleveland is Vladimir Guerrero Jr., who's in the Home Run Derby. The Jays have been left out, which kinda sucks. Also, as much as I love Masahiro Tanaka...he's been very okay in the last month. You can argue that maybe calling him an All-Star is pushing it? I'm not complaining too much, as he'll finally get to pitch in an ASG, and he deserves it.
Who Should be Replacing Him? David Price, but he's pitching today. Matt Boyd?
Who's Missing the Game? Anthony Rendon, Nats hero 3rd baseman.
Why? Injury
Who's Replacing Him? Max Muncy, Dodgers 1st baseman.
How do I feel? Infield incongruity aside, I love this pick, as it rights a wrong of the initial ballot.
Who's Missing the Game? Zack Greinke, D-Backs ace
Why? Details are vague, but I keep hearing 'personal matter'
Who's Replacing Him? Sonny Gray, of the Reds.
How do I feel? Very mixed. Not just from Greinke's vagueness, but...was Sonny Gray the best Reds arm of the bunch? Would Amir Garrett have been a better choice? I love Sonny, but was HIS season All-Star caliber?
Who Should be Replacing Him? Zach Eflin, Julio Teheran, Jon Gray, Zach Wheeler or Jon Lester?
Who's Missing the Game? Max Scherzer, Nats ace
Why? Because he just had his second kid and needs time off. Which I can respect.
Who's Replacing Him? Brandon Woodruff, Brewers pitching breakout.
How do I feel? Now the Nats don't have any nods either, so that's TWO teams who aren't bringing anybody. At least the Jays have someone in the Derby. Nats just have Max sitting on the bench and looking pretty, which is exactly what he did in 2015, instead of actually having a horse in the race.
Who Should be Replacing Him? STEPHEN STRASBURG OR PATRICK CORBIN. Come on fellas, you're losing your heads!
Who's Missing the Game? Josh Hader, Brewers relief expert
Why? Soreness, I think
Who's Replacing Him? Felipe Vazquez, Pirates closing giant
How do I feel? Actually, this one works.
Not a very well-thought out post, but...it'd be weird if I started thinking posts through 10 years in.
Coming Tomorrow- Toms River's finest.
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