Verlander, Cole, Pressly will join trio of elected starters at Progressive Field
Justin Verlander got to the point where he practically took being an All-Star for granted. Not anymore.
Verlander and fellow Astros pitchers Gerrit Cole and Ryan Pressly were named Sunday to the 2019 American League team via the players’ vote, giving the Astros six All-Stars for the third consecutive season.
Third baseman Alex Bregman and outfielders George Springer and Michael Brantley were voted in by fans as starters for the game, to be played at Cleveland’s Progressive Field on July 9.
Verlander and the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw were named AllStars for the eighth time, tying them with Angels outfielder Mike Trout for the high among this year’s participants. Only 20 other pitchers have been selected at least that many times, and 19 are in
the Hall of Fame.
A six-time selection with the Tigers, Verlander did not make the AL team from 2014 to 2017. The dry spell made him grateful for the chance to return, which he has done with the Astros in each of the last two seasons.
“Really special,” he said. “Earlier on in my career, after going to a few in a row, you kind of start to take it for granted. After some injuries and some down years and missing it for a few years in a row, it gave me a new appreciation for how much I enjoy these games. The enjoyment of being selected by your peers — having the opportunity to go represent your ballclub and yourself in such a big manner — is a blessing.”
Cole, who earned his eighth win Sunday and leads the American League with 161 strikeouts, was picked for the third time, including both of his Astros seasons.
“What’s really unique about our system is that for the pitchers, you have to be voted in by the players,” Cole said. “When you’re selected, it’s really humbling to know that the rest of the professional baseball world respects what you do. I take my vote seriously when I cast them for other starting pitchers. It means a lot.”
Verlander and Cole were happy to see Pressly make his first All-Star team. The reliever earned his major league-best 20th hold on Sunday and has a 1.47 ERA with 41 strikeouts in 362⁄3 innings.
“I’m ecstatic for him,” Verlander said. “His first All-Star Game — getting to experience that with a player — is something I’m looking forward to.”
Verlander (10-3, 2.86 ERA) is a strong candidate to start the AllStar Game. He leads the majors in WHIP (0.79), opponents average (.162) and innings (1192⁄3) and is fourth in strikeouts (147). If he does get the nod, it would give the Astros a franchise-record four AllStar starters.
His chief competition might be White Sox ace Luis Giolito, who improved to 11-2 on Sunday and has a 2.72 ERA with 115 strikeouts in 96 innings. Former Astro Charlie Morton, who in his first season with the Rays is 8-2 with a 2.43 ERA, is another candidate.
With their six All-Star selections, the Astros easily led the majors. The Dodgers, Brewers and Rockies had four players picked.