MLB Expert Predicts Dodgers Have an Incredible 4 All-Star Starters This Season
We are just over two months into the season and despite all the talk of the offseason, the Dodgers find themselves sitting atop the NL West again. They have survived off two things: A youth movement and their star players performing up to plan.
The All-Star game in Seattle is coming up soon, so naturally, it's time for projections and selections to be made. ESPN is predicting that the Dodgers will have six total selections to the All-Star game, with four of them starting the game.
Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy and J.D. Martinez headline the starters while Clayton Kershaw and Will Smith round out the picks. It's hard to argue that every one of these players don't deserve to be sent to Seattle for the game. Los Angeles has been one of the best teams in baseball and these players have all stepped up this season.
Freeman and Betts have led the way for this Dodgers team with Freeman being in the early conversation for the NL MVP. Freeman leads the NL in doubles and ranks second in hits while Betts remains one of the most skilled players across the sport with his versatility.
Muncy is having a bounce back year with 18 home runs and 42 runs batted in this season. His numbers have dipped slightly of late but he remains a good candidate to be picked. But the biggest surprise here has to be Martinez. He is leading the NL in slugging and had added another dimension of power to the lineup. If he keeps up this level of production, he will be the signing of the offseason.
Kershaw is Kershaw, even with some down starts. But he undoubtedly deserves to be selected. And Will Smith may be the best catcher in the game and there is an argument for him to be starting. He just missed some time due to injury, which hampers his chances to start.
As long as the Dodgers keep up their strong start this season, then they should be well represented at the All-Star game in July.
