Dodgers News: Zack Greinke Receives Support To Start All-Star Game
Since suffering a loss July 13 in San Diego, Zack Greinke has been on a roll over his last seven starts. More impressively, Greinke hasn’t allowed a run since that loss and carries with him a 35.2 scoreless innings streak into the All-Star break.
The right-hander was one of four Dodgers named to the National League All Star team, but in what capacity he’ll participate remains up in the air. Greinke has certainly stated his case to start the Midsummer Classic, but so too have Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals and Gerrit Cole of the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Nationals manager Matt Williams announced Saturday Scherzer would indeed start Sunday, which takes him out of the running to start the All-Star Game.
Whether Greinke gets the nod is up to San Francisco Giants manager Bruce Bochy, who will manage the NL team. Bochy’s staff includes Dodgers manager Don Mattingly and recently let it be known who he believes should start the All-Star Game.
“I’m not much of a politicker, but it’s hard to be better than he [Greinke] is right now,” Mattingly said. “I know Scherzer has been really, really good. But will all due respect, Zack’s my guy.”
While Mattingly’s comments come as little surprise given his obvious ties to Greinke, the right-hander also caught the attention of eight-time All-Star and current baseball analyst, Pedro Martinez:
As locked in as Zack Greinke it's looking, he would be the right choice to start the ASG
— Pedro Martinez (@45PedroMartinez) July 10, 2015
Greinke, who debuted with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004, is having a career season. He leads the Majors with a 1.39 ERA and currently owns a career-best 0.84 WHIP in what’s arguably his best year since winning the American League Cy Young Award in 2009.
Part of Greinke’s success this season has stemmed from his ability to induce ground balls and avoid line drives. Just 18.1 percent of batted balls have resulted in line drives and opposing hitters have just a .233 BABIP against him; he’s allowed just 19 runs in 18 starts in 2015.
While pundits may be left to argue over the merits of the eventual announced starter, Greinke said recently the decision has no impact on him.
[divide]Zack Greinke On Potentially Starting The All-Star Game
