THREE STAR REVIEW
Cespedes, Familia, Thor to represent Mets in San Diego
Jeurys Familia can forget about taking time off next week, but the Mets closer probably doesn’t mind missing out on a brief vacation. After getting snubbed last year, the big righthander with the killer sinker was named to his first All-Star Game on Tuesday night.
Familia, 26, will be joined by right-hander Noah Syndergaard and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes, who was voted in as a starter by the fans. The last time the Mets had at least three representatives to the All-Star Game was 2009, when they sent David Wright, Francisco Rodriguez, Carlos Beltran and Johan Santana to the Midsummer Classic.
“I feel excited,” Familia said after the Mets’ 5-2 loss to the Marlins snapped a five-game winning streak. “I called my family [when I found out]. First time, I’m going to enjoy it.”
Familia leads baseball with 29 saves in as many opportunities, and has registered 45 straight regular-season saves. He has also pitched better lately, tossing 13 consecutive scoreless innings with 15 strikeouts and has the second most saves since the start of last year, 72 to Pirates closer Mark Melancon’s 76.
Just two years ago, Familia was languishing as a struggling converted reliever. But he became the team’s closer at the star of last season, when Jenrry Mejia went on the disabled list and was shortly thereafter suspended for 80 games for using performance-enhancing drugs, and has emerged as one of the best relievers in the sport. The fact Mets manager Terry Collins will be in the dugout next Tuesday, possibly calling on him to close out the game, holds extra significance to Familia.
“For me, it’s something special because TC is the manager,” he said. “I’ve known TC for a couple of years. He’s a great manager we have. He’s always giving confidence to the players.”
Syndergaard, 23, was selected to the All-Star Game in his first full season. The righthanded flame-thrower with the fastball that reaches tripledigits and sharp slider at the speed of most pitchers’ fastballs is 9-3 with a 2.41 ERA, 123 strikeouts in 101 innings pitched, and a 1.06 WHIP.
“I was able to watch Jacob [deGrom] compete in it last year and [I] saw how tremendous he did, and I decided I wanted a piece of the action,” Syndergaard said. “Working out this offseason, I made it a goal of mine to compete in the All-Star Game, and I’m excited to go to San Diego.”
Syndgergaard is a candidate to start, along with Cubs duo of Jon Lester and Jake Arrieta, Giants ace Madison Bumgarner and Nationals unbeaten right-hander Stephen Strasburg.
“That would be a dream come true,” Syndergaard said. “I would be thankful for that and really excited.”
Cespedes, making his second All-Star Game appearance, was
TRIO GRAND:
was voted in with Nationals slugger Bryce Harper and Cubs leadoff man Dexter Fowler in the outfield, though Fowler is on the disabled list and is expected to miss the game. Cespedes has keyed the Mets’ recent surge, riding a nine-game hitting streak in which he is batting .417 with three home run and six RBIs. The 30-year-old Cespedes, who returned to the Mets in the offseason on a three-year, $75 million deal that includes an opt-out after this season, is the team leader in batting average (.304), home runs (21), RBIs (51), on-base percentage (.371) and OPS (.960). “‘Ces’ is a great player and we’re lucky to have him,” Collins said.