We’ve reached the midway point of the 2022 MLB season, and this can only mean one thing. It’s time for the MLB All-Star game! This year, our teams received three All-Star nods, with one South Side snub we aren’t too happy about. The Cubs will send two players to the game next Tuesday, and the Sox will send one. Let’s see who made the cut!
The Cubs MLB All-Stars
Up first are the two Cubs All-Stars that will represent our city for the National League team: Ian Happ and Willson Contreras. Happ was voted in by the players as a reserve, while Contreras was named the NL’s starting catcher.
For Contreras, this is his third All-Star game appearance in seven seasons. His first two came in 2018 and 2019. And this year, he made his way with a batting average of .266, 13 HRs, and an OPS of .862. While there’s been a slew of rumors and talk surrounding Contreras being traded, we couldn’t be more proud to have him representing the Cubs in the Midsummer Classic this year. His third appearance in the game has some more importance this year, as it will be the first time in the past 30 years that two brothers play in the same All-Star Game. Willson Contreras’ brother, William Contreras, is a catcher for the Braves, so both him and Willson will suit up behind the plate for the NL. William will act as a reserve to his brother, and he’ll also take the lead DH spot to replace an injured Bryce Harper.
As for Ian Happ, this is his first MLB All-Star game appearance in his sixth season in the big leagues. After being told the news by manager David Ross, it was reported that Happ cried tears of joy. And considering where he was about a year ago, all the emotion with the moment makes sense. Around this time last year, Happ had a .183 batting average, a .296 OBP, and a 29% strikeout rate. To make things worse, he was just about to lose some playing time as a starter. Instead of letting the slump continue, Happ turned it around, and now he’s having the best seasons of his career. He’ll take his now .276 BA and 41 RBIs straight to the NL’s reserve unit, and we’ll be rooting for him all the way!
The Sox All-Star Situation
This year for the White Sox, they’ll be sending one lone All-Star to the game next week. That man is the one and only, Tim Anderson or TA7, for short. But before we talk about Tim, let’s get to the snub.
The big snub for the White Sox comes with starting pitcher Dylan Cease, who wasn’t named to the MLB All-Star game this year, and isn’t going to act as a reserve or an injury replacement either. Numbers-wise Cease has the fifth-lowest ERA in the league and has the second highest strikeout rate. Unfortunately for him though, the Sox aren’t doing too hot, which means guys like him and Abreu are likely to be left off the roster. It’s an unfortunate reality for Cease, but he’s only in his fourth season, and if continues at his current pace, we still think he’s got a shot at a Cy Young.
Now let’s turn to Tim Anderson, who will be making his second All-Star game appearance in back-to-back seasons. Through 60 games in 2022, Anderson is sitting comfortably with a .311 batting-average and .766 OPS. While he dealt with a minor injury earlier in June, it’s clear that Anderson and his bat are recognized as one of the best out there, and thus, he received the All-Star nod once again. Look for him out at shortstop when he suits up for the American League next week.
The 2022 MLB All-Star Schedule
While the All-Star game isn’t until Tuesday, July 19, the entire All-Star weekend starts on Saturday with the All-Star Futures game followed by the All-Star Celebrity Softball game. (We’re betting on Snoop Dogg for our MVP in that one)
On Sunday, the MLB will host day one of their draft during All-Star weekend in LA. Then on Monday, the sluggers will take the field for the Home Run Derby. By the time 6:30 PM on Tuesday rolls around, the 2022 MLB All-Star game will begin! We sure can’t wait to watch our Chicago guys take the field.
Featured Image Credit: Chicago Cubs Instagram