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Astros lead with six All-Stars for Midsummer Classic

Field Level Media

July 01, 2019 at 12:39 am.

Jun 28, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Michael Brantley (23) hits a single during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

Jun 28, 2019; Houston, TX, USA; Houston Astros left fielder Michael Brantley (23) hits a single during the first inning against the Seattle Mariners at Minute Maid Park. Photo Credit: Troy Taormina-USA TODAY Sports

The Houston Astros will have a major league-high six players in the upcoming All-Star game after reserves and pitchers were named to the rosters of both the American League and National League on Sunday.

Starting pitchers Justin Verlander and Gerrit Cole and reliever Ryan Pressly were named Sunday to join the Astros’ three AL starters — third baseman Alex Bregman and outfielders George Springer and Michael Brantley — for the July 9 contest in Cleveland. It marks the third straight year in which Houston has six All-Stars.

The Los Angeles Dodgers, Colorado Rockies and Milwaukee Brewers lead the NL with four players each.

Dodgers starters Clayton Kershaw, Hyun-Jin Ryu and Walker Buehler were added by Los Angeles manager Dave Roberts. Outfielder Cody Bellinger was previously selected as a starter.

Colorado outfielders Charlie Blackmon and David Dahl, and shortstop Trevor Story were chosen to join starting third baseman Nolan Arenado. Milwaukee second baseman Mike Moustakas, catcher Yasmani Grandal and reliever Josh Hader were added to join starting outfielder Christian Yelich.

Other NL position players chosen Sunday were catcher J.T. Realmuto (Philadelphia), first basemen Pete Alonso (New York) and Josh Bell (Pittsburgh), shortstop Paul DeJong (St. Louis), third basemen Anthony Rendon (Washington) and Kris Bryant (Chicago), and outfielder Jeff McNeil (New York).

The AL reserves on the team managed by Boston’s Alex Cora are catcher James McCann (Chicago), first basemen Jose Abreu (Chicago) and Daniel Vogelbach (Seattle), second baseman Tommy La Stella (Los Angeles), shortstop Francisco Lindor (Cleveland), third baseman Matt Chapman (Oakland), outfielders Mookie Betts (Boston), Joey Gallo (Texas), Austin Meadows (Tampa Bay) and Whit Merrifield (Kansas City) and designated hitter J.D. Martinez (Boston).

Joining the three Astros on the AL pitching staff are starters Lucas Giolito (Chicago), John Means (Baltimore), Mike Minor (Texas), Charlie Morton (Tampa Bay), Jake Odorizzi (Minnesota) and Marcus Stroman (Toronto). The other relievers are Aroldis Chapman (New York), Shane Greene (Detroit) and Brad Hand (Cleveland).

The other NL pitchers include starters Sandy Alcantara (Miami), Luis Castillo (Cincinnati), Jacob deGrom (New York), Zack Greinke (Arizona), Max Scherzer (Washington) and Mike Soroka (Atlanta). The other relievers are Kirby Yates (San Diego) and Will Smith (San Francisco).

The NL’s other starters are catcher Willson Contreras (Chicago), first baseman Freddie Freeman (Atlanta), second baseman Ketel Marte (Arizona), shortstop Javier Baez (Chicago) and outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr. (Atlanta).

The AL’s other starters are catcher Gary Sanchez (New York), first baseman Carlos Santana (Cleveland), DJ LeMahieu (New York), shortstop Jorge Polanco (Minnesota), outfielder Mike Trout (Los Angeles) and designated hitter Hunter Pence (Texas).

Rookies participating in the game are Alonso, Means and Soroka. Alonso is the third Mets rookie to make the team, joining Hall of Famer Tom Seaver (1967) and Dwight Gooden (1984).

Overall, there are 31 first-time All-Stars.

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