Betts, J.D. come up short in Starters Election

June 28th, 2019

LONDON -- Though the Red Sox learned shortly after their arrival in London that they won’t have any starters in the All-Star Game this season, there will still be a Boston feel in Cleveland for the Midsummer Classic.

Manager Alex Cora and his entire coaching staff are making the trip as the customary reward for the Red Sox winning the World Series last season.

and both advanced to the Starters Election, but neither player was voted a starter at his respective position.

However, Betts and Martinez -- and several other Sox players -- should be in contention to be selected to the American League’s squad.

Pitchers and reserves will be named on Sunday at 5:30 p.m. ET on ESPN.

“I’m a little disappointed none of our guys made it [as starters], but I do feel the players, they select the reserves and I know how it goes and how much attention they pay, and they take it very seriously,” said Cora. “It wouldn’t surprise me if we have four, maybe five guys who make it into the All-Star Game.”

Among those five could be Martinez. The right-handed hitter, who finished as the runner-up at DH behind in the fan voting, is one of the most feared sluggers in the game. Though he hasn’t gotten red hot yet this season, Martinez has 17 homers, 45 RBIs and an .892 OPS.

After starting for the AL the past three years, Betts finished fifth among outfielders in this year’s voting. Like Martinez, he hasn’t hit his stride yet, but he leads the AL in runs (64) and is second in walks (59).

Shortstop might be Boston’s most deserving All-Star this season. He is fifth in the AL with a .924 OPS and fifth in RBIs with 55. Bogaerts is hitting .298 with 15 homers.

At third base, is having a breakout season. The left-handed hitter is second in the league in average (.322), third in doubles (23) and has 12 homers and 49 RBIs.

On the pitching side, has been Boston’s ace this season. The lefty is 5-2 with a 3.36 ERA and has a 1.12 WHIP.

Though is having a below-par year (3-7, 3.82 ERA), the fact that he is second in the league in strikeouts (148) and third in WHIP (1.03) could land him some All-Star consideration.

Pitchers and reserves will be selected via a group effort between their fellow players and the Commissioner's Office. The player ballots, which will be collected in all 30 clubhouses shortly before the roster announcements, will account for 17 of the remaining AL All-Stars -- eight pitchers (five starters and three relievers), as well as one backup for each position (including the DH in the AL).

The Commissioner's Office will then name the remaining six AL players (four pitchers and two position players), while ensuring that all 15 AL teams are represented.

The 2019 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard will be played on Tuesday, July 9, at Progressive Field in Cleveland. It will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States, while ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage.