National League All-Star manager Terry Collins of the New York Mets announced today his selection of Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer to the active NL All-Star roster as a replacement for his teammate, Stephen Strasburg, who will not pitch in Tuesday's All-Star Game.
This marks the fourth consecutive Midsummer Classic for Scherzer and his second in as many years as a National. Scherzer, one of the game's top power pitchers, was the American League's starting pitcher at the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York. In 18 starts this season, Scherzer is 9-6 with a 3.21 ERA and a Major League-best 155 strikeouts in his 120.2 innings pitched (85 H, 32 BB). The 31-year-old Missouri native has limited opponents to a .195 batting average and has posted a 0.97 WHIP. After throwing two no-hitters in the 2015 season, Scherzer made more history on May 11th of this season by tying a Major League record with 20 strikeouts against the Detroit Tigers. He joined Roger Clemens (twice), Kerry Wood and Randy Johnson as the only pitchers in history to reach 20 strikeouts in a game. Scherzer will join teammates Bryce Harper, Daniel Murphy, Wilson Ramos and Strasburg as NL All-Stars.
Strasburg, 27, has a perfect 11-0 mark with a 2.71 ERA this season, his seventh in the Major Leagues. This year the top overall selection of the 2009 Draft has fanned 123 batters in his 99.2 innings, yielding just 75 hits and 28 walks. The right-hander, who was activated from the disabled list on July 3rd, has a franchise-record streak of winning 14 straight decisions. The last NL starter to begin a season with an 11-0 record was Andy Hawkins of the San Diego Padres in 1985. Strasburg, a San Diego native who attended San Diego State University and played baseball under Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, is invited to his hometown with full All-Star honors.
MLB All-Star Week includes the MLB All-Star Game presented by MasterCard at Petco Park (July 12th), Gatorade All-Star Workout Day featuring the T-Mobile Home Run Derby (July 11th), All-Star Sunday featuring the SiriusXM All-Star Futures Game and All-Star Legends & Celebrity Softball Game (July 10th), All-Star FanFest at the San Diego Convention Center (July 8th-12th), plus a lineup of additional events taking place around the city. The 87th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and Sirius XM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @AllStarGame on social media.