The midsummer classic is finally upon us, and the Boston Red Sox will be well represented at the 2011 MLB All-Star Game with Adrian Gonzalez and David Ortiz starting and Josh Beckett, Kevin Youkilis and Jacoby Ellsbury making the team as reserves. Jon Lester was also named to the team, but will not play due to a lat strain.
Gonzalez and Ortiz were both voted in as starters, with Gonzo batting .354 with 17 home runs and 77 RBI while Ortiz is hitting .304 with 19 home runs and 55 RBI. Youkilis is batting .285 with 13 home runs and 63 RBI, Ellsbury is hitting .316 with 11 homers and 49 RBI and Beckett has a record of 8-3 with a 2.27 ERA and 94 strikeouts.
Lester, who was named to the team despite his current status on the disabled list, has a team-leading 10-4 record with a 3.31 ERA and 110 strikeouts this season.
There's no question that all six are deserving, but how many will actually play? Gonzalez and Ortiz definitely will, and Youkilis and Ellsbury should see playing time for a few innings, but Beckett has said that he doesn't know if he will pitch. Whatever happens, it should be a great night for Red Sox fans and baseball aficionados around the nation.
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