Archer likely to be part of AL All-Star staff

NEW YORK -- On Sunday night, starters were announced for this year's All-Star Game and no Rays were among those elected by the fans. However, Chris Archer appears to be a shoo-in for the Midsummer Classic.

On Monday at 7 p.m. ET, 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 4 p.m. ET on Friday.

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.

When asked on Sunday about his chances of making the team, Archer smiled.

"I never like to count my hens before they hatch, or whatever that saying is," said Archer before correcting himself. "Chickens, sorry. Some are female. That's just not how I was raised.

"I mean, I've thought that I've performed well enough to receive an award or an accolade and I didn't get it. So, just through conditioning, I've always been more conservative with my thoughts when it comes to something I can't necessarily control."

Video: BOS@TB: Archer fans 10 over six frames

Archer allowed that making the team "would mean a lot." He has posted a 9-5 record with a 2.18 ERA and 141 strikeouts in 115 2/3 innings.

"Kind of taking the words from A-Rod, but that's what we all strive for," Archer said. "You grow up, even if you can't find baseball on locally, because I didn't have a team that was that close.

"TBS showed the Braves. WGN would show the Cubs. You were always watching the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game. It would be a dream come true. And to be surrounded by greatness would be very, very special for me."

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 8 p.m. ET.

The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports (7 p.m. ET air time, 8:15 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.