Red Sox: Xander Bogaerts snubbed for ASG ’17

Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts will not be headed to 2017 All Star Game in Miami losing out to Mike Moustakas

Sox fans have only themselves to blame as they didn’t get their man into the All Star Game in Miami this year. Xander Bogaerts was posting pretty good numbers, with the only characteristic lacking being the power. Bogey has posted a .308/6/41 slash so far this season with 96 hits through 312 at bats in 80 games. Last night the X Factor got taken out of the game after being beaned with a fastball in his wrist.

X-rays were taken and came back negative so that’s a good sign. It remains to be seen if he’ll miss any time to rest. If he misses any serious time, it could create some animosity between the two clubs whether it was an accident or not. Bogey is a leader on the team. While he was posting great numbers so far, the fan voters went in another direction, electing to have Mike Moustakas go in his place.

Moustakas has posted a sub par average but otherwise should have been considered a lock for the All Star Game. Moose has a .275/25/54 slash line in 302 at bats in 76 games. While I will say that I’m not shocked that Bogey didn’t get in, not all fans are huge supporters of the Red Sox. I will say that while this snub isn’t completely surprising, I think not seeing Chris Sale start the ASG would have been more shocking.

If his wrist injury proves to be something worse then, missing the ASG could be a good thing. Ultimately, fans in Kansas City got more votes for their man than Sox fans got for our guy. Bogey’s 96 hits and .308 batting average are both team leading. His 96 hits are also tied for 6th in the American League with Yankee rival Aaron Judge.

The Sox will look to get back on track with Drew Pomeranz taking the hill tonight seeking his 9th win on the season in game two of a four game set in Tampa. While it’s not entirely shocking that he’s 2nd on the team in wins, it’s largely in part to greater effectiveness on his cutter in addition to his curve ball.

Pomeranz has not allowed as many runs which has also helped his ERA drop from 5.23 on May 9th down to 3.64 on July 2nd. Pom has allowed more than two earned runs only once in his last 10 starts dating back to May 14th. He’s been one of the big surprises in 2017. If Pomeranz and Sale can continue to dominate and David Price lights up as he’s slowly begun to, this could be the rotation that Sox fans were hoping for back in April.

 

Photo Credit – Barry Chin – Globe Staff