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Miller a favorite to be an NL All-Star for Braves

ATLANTA -- The Braves did not have a position player elected to start during this year's All-Star Game. But Shelby Miller might get some good news when the National League pitchers and reserves are announced on Monday night.

Given his status as one of this year's top starting pitchers, Miller stands as the strongest candidate to represent the Braves at this year's All-Star Game. There is also at least a chance Cameron Maybin, Andrelton Simmons or Jason Grilli have done enough to at least warrant consideration for an All-Star selection.

"You're always excited to see who is making the All-Star team," Miller said. "It's not anything I'm going to go out of my way to see or anything like that. If you get told you have made it, you do. But at the end of the day, it's just another day."

Through the first 17 starts he has made for the Braves, Miller has produced a 2.07 ERA and limited opponents to a .214 batting average. The 24-year-old hurler ranks among the top six qualified NL pitchers in both categories. He has allowed two earned runs or less in 14 of his starts this year.

Miller is scheduled to make his next start on Friday against the Rockies. Thus, he would be available to pitch if he was selected to play in the All-Star Game, which will be played four days later in Cincinnati.

"I've got my fingers crossed that somebody will call and give him an opportunity," Braves manager Fredi Gonzalez said. "I think he lines up perfectly where he can pitch in that All-Star Game, but hopefully somebody calls and gives him a chance."

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, 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 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.

Mark Bowman is a reporter for MLB.com. Listen to his podcast.
Read More: Atlanta Braves, Shelby Miller, Andrelton Simmons, Cameron Maybin, Jason Grilli