The 2011 MLB All Star Game is just over a week away and the American League and National League each announced their starters and reserves. In the American League, the Oakland Athletics will be represented by starting pitcher Gio Gonzalez. While the A's were required to have an All Star, Gonzalez is a worthy selection. Entering his Sunday start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, Gonzalez is fourth in the AL in ERA and 10th in strikeouts. He is currently 7-5 with a 2.38 ERA and 99 Ks. He'll be facing off against Ian Kennedy on Sunday as Kennedy seeks to win the NL Final Vote.
For the American League, Jose Bautista ended up as the leading vote-getter. Bautista, Alex Avila and Josh Hamilton represent the only non-Red Sox and Yankees in the AL starting lineup. The AL West will be represented by Gonzalez, Hamilton, Howie Kendrick, Adrian Beltre, Michael Young, Felix Hernandez, Brandon League, Jered Weaver, and C.J. Wilson. This marks the first time in Ichiro Suzuki's MLB career that he has not made the All Star team.
Here is the full rundown of American League starters and reserves:
Starters: Alex Avila (C, Detroit Tigers), Adrian Gonzalez (1B, Boston Red Sox),Robinson Cano (2B, New York Yankees), Alex Rodriguez (3B, New York Yankees),Derek Jeter (SS, New York Yankees), David Ortiz (DH, Boston Red Sox), Jose Bautista (OF, Toronto Blue Jays), Curtis Granderson (OF, New York Yankees) and Josh Hamilton (OF, Texas Rangers).
Position Players: Matt Wieters (C, Baltimore Orioles), Jacoby Ellsbury (OF, Boston Red Sox), Carlos Quentin (OF, Chicago White Sox), Asdrubal Cabrera (SS,Cleveland Indians), Miguel Cabrera (1B, Detroit Tigers), Howie Kendrick (2B, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), Michael Cuddyer (OF, Minnesota Twins), Russell Martin(C, New York Yankees), Matt Joyce (OF, Tampa Bay Rays), Adrian Beltre (3B, Texas Rangers), Michael Young (IF, Texas Rangers).
Pitchers: Chris Perez (RP, Cleveland Indians), Jose Valverde (RP, Detroit Tigers),Aaron Crow (RP, Kansas City Royals), Josh Beckett (SP, Boston Red Sox), Mariano Rivera (RP, New York Yankees), Gio Gonzalez (SP, Oakland Athletics), Felix Hernandez (SP, Seattle Mariners), Justin Verlander (SP, Detroit Tigers), Brandon League (RP, Seattle Mariners), David Price (SP, Tampa Bay Rays), James Shields (SP, Tampa Bay Rays), Jered Weaver (SP, Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim), C.J. Wilson (SP, Texas Rangers).