SI.com: America's game; Record-setting votes and an All-Star snub?CNN news blog editor
Good work MLB fans. As SI.com's Joe Lemire points out, baseball fans seemed to make the right calls this year when it came to selecting 2011's All-Star teams. Jose Bautista and his record-setting 7.4 million votes certainly prove that. But the biggest snub this year may be Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen.
"The Pirates have started to win more, but the credit hasn't followed suit," Lemire writes. "McCutchen has been the club's best hitter by far this season, leading the surprising team (only 2 1/2 games back in the NL Central) in nearly every category: average (.289), on-base percentage (. 390), slugging (. 493), OPS (. 884), runs (48), home runs (12), stolen bases (15), doubles (20), triples (3), walks (46) and total bases (150). As importantly, he ranks third in the majors at that position with a 6.9 Ultimate Zone Rating, meaning he's saved nearly seven runs with his glove. That's an outstanding figure, even if it's far off Diaz's unrealistic projection."
Other players who will be hoping for a much-deserved spot on the All-Star team: Yankees starter CC Sabathia, Rays second baseman/right fielder Ben Zobrist and Braves starter Tommy Hanson.
Though the grills will be going this July 4th, don’t forget to catch some MLB action tonight.
Up today:
Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals (6:15 p.m., ET) – The Reds are hoping to take their fourth-straight victory over the Cardinals tonight at Busch Stadium.
New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians (6:35 p.m., ET) – Coming off a Subway Series loss to their cross-town rivals, the Yankees will try to bounce back with an away win against the Cleveland Indians.
By The Numbers
6 – Number of hits Yankees slugger Derek Jeter needs to reach 3000. His quest for the historic benchmark was temporarily put on hold by a strained right calf.
40 – Average number of goals Sharks forward Dany Heatley has made in the past six seasons. Heatley was dealt to the Wild Sunday for Martin Havlat.
163 – Number of starts it took driver David Ragan to notch his first Sprint Cup win. Ragan reached Daytona's Victory Lane Saturday night. SI.com's Brant James talks about a wild weekend in Florida in his five things.
Via: This Just In
