Degrom wants de ball

WASHINGTON — Jacob deGrom never stops competing. The Mets ace leads not only the National League in ERA, but all majorleague starters. Making his second trip to the All-Star Game, he thinks that should mean he gets the start.

“I want to start the game,” deGrom said this weekend. “I want it.”

But deGrom knows there are always politics involved with baseball.

Nationals ace Max Scherzer, whose 2.41 ERA is fourth in the NL, is likely to be tabbed by Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts to make the start for the NL team Tuesday night for the All-Star Game at Nationals Park.

DeGrom, who has a 1.68 ERA and just five wins because of the struggles of the team behind him, knows he probably won't get the start, but he wasn't giving up hope.

BIG PAPI, BIG CHEERS

David Oritz was managing the World team at Sunday's All-Star Futures Game, but the retired slugger had an eye on how his former team was doing.

“Wooooah!” Big Papi shouted when asked about the 2018 Red Sox. “It's like watching a movie you know how is going to end!”

Ortiz, who said he watches more baseball now that he is retired, promised the Red Sox would play better against the Yankees in the second half. He also predicted the Red Sox winning the American League East.

“Who do you think? Man, I've been watching this year more games than what I had. I gotta tell you, my boys aren't playing, bro. These guys' offense is ridiculous,” Ortiz said. “You are expecting two or three hits from Mookie (Betts) and J.D. (Martinez) every night. … It's fun to watch.”

What's not so fun to watch for Papi? The shift stealing the game.

“You see (Bryce) Harper hitting what, .220?" Ortiz says of the slugger, who is batting .214, “and he's one of the best hitters in the game. You say how is this guy hitting .220? And then you see line drives right, hit to right field or a line drive hit right up the middle that's supposed to be another hit, and it's (being caught).”