Wainwright Gets All-Star Game Nod
Before Monday's Homerun Derby, Cardinals' manager Mike Matheny was forced to make a tough decision; which potential Cy Young winner to start in Tuesday's All-Star game?
Dodgers starter and reigning Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw recently had his 41 inning scoreless streak snapped and has compiled 126 strikeouts in only 96 innings pitched. His 1.78 ERA would lead the majors if he qualified, while his 11 wins are just one behind Cards' ace Adam Wainwright for the Major League lead .
Wainwright boasts a league leading 1.83 ERA and a 12-4 record for the second place Cardinals and has the advantage of playing for this year's All-Star manager, but some skeptics believed the third-year manager may rest the staff's ace and workhorse as the 32-year old has already logged 132 innings.
Despite the doubt, Matheny tabbed Wainwight the starter against the American League and Mariner's ace Felix Hernandez. The tough decision between the two stars exemplifies the very best of pitching dominated league this season. 21 pitchers (13 NL and 8 AL) hold an ERA currently under 3.00, a number that more than doubles the highest amount in the past 15 seasons. Strikeouts are at an all-time high clip and batting averages for the league are at a 42-year low in what is sure to be a record-breaking season
Even with the slight statistical advantage on the mound, the NL faces the tough task of scoring off AL pitchers Felix Hernandez, Yu Darvish, Max Scherzer, Chris Sale, and David Price; all of whom starred in last years 3-0 victory and combined 3-hitter over the NL squad.
