A's hopeful they'll have All-Star reserves
Gray, Vogt, Kazmir among Oakland's possible squad additions
OAKLAND -- The A's are without an All-Star starter, but still hope to send at least a couple of deserving players to Cincinnati next week, notably their ace Sonny Gray and catcher Stephen Vogt.
A's manager Bob Melvin also views left-hander Scott Kazmir (5-5) worthy of an All-Star nod, and with Gray (9-3) likely unable to pitch in the game following his Sunday start in Cleveland, Kazmir's chances of making the roster have likely increased.
"You look at Sonny Gray, you look at Scott Kazmir's numbers," Melvin said. "Granted the win-loss record, but I don't think that's looked at as hard. You look at the ERA, and it's right there."
Gray's 2.09 ERA ranks second in the American League, while Kazmir's 2.56 mark is tied for sixth best among starters.
Vogt, meanwhile, has consistently ranked near or at the top of nearly every offensive category, leading in several at his position.
On Monday at 4 p.m. PT, the All-Star reserves, pitchers and Final Vote candidates will be announced on the Esurance All-Star Selection Show on ESPN. Immediately following the show, fans can return to MLB.com to begin voting to select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2015 Esurance All-Star Game Final Vote. Fans can cast their votes from a list of five players from each league until 1 p.m. PT on Friday, July 10.
And the voting doesn't end there. During the Midsummer Classic in Cincinnati on Tuesday, July 14, fans can once again visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, the fans' collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
MLB.TV Premium subscribers will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 supported MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities, including the 2015 Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday, July 13. The Derby will feature a new format with brackets and timed rounds and will be broadcast live by ESPN and MLB.com beginning at 5 p.m. PT.
The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports (4 p.m. PT air time, 5:15 first pitch), 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 and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.