Indians' three right-handed starters all have the credentials of a worthy all-star.
Carlos Carrasco (photo), Justin Masterson and Josh Tomlin all have pitched superb baseball for the Indians this season.CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera and closer Chris Perez have, deservedly, been named as the Cleveland Indians' representatives on the American League all-star team.
Cabrera, for sure, was the only Indians' position player who deserved all-star consideration. In fact, he's having a far superior season to the fans' automatic pick at short, Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees.
Three Indians' right-handed starters -- Justin Masterson, Josh Tomlin and Carlos Carrasco -- have pitched for much of the first half of the season like all-stars. Simply because they weren't named to the team by Texas Rangers and AL all-star manager Ron Washington doesn't mean they weren't discussed as candidates by Washington and anyone he asked for advice.
Masterson is 6-6 with a 2.85 ERA. He, of course, could have several more wins but the Indians' offense has provided him with an alarming lack of support.
Tomlin is 9-4 with a 3.86 ERA. He has been one of baseball's most reliable starters since joining the Indians last July, having pitched at least five innings in all of his 28 career starts, including 16 this season.
Carrasco, despite an early stay on the disabled list, is 8-4 with a 3.54 ERA, and has been among baseball's best starters the last several weeks.
Every major league team must be represented by at least one player at the all-star game. Last season, the lone Indian was right-handed starting pitcher Fausto Carmona, who was 8-7 with a 3.64 ERA at the all-star break.
Credentials necessary to be named an all-star or win other awards have changed in recent years. For instance, Seattle Mariners' starting pitcher Felix Hernandez won the Cy Young Award last season despite having a 13-12 win-loss record. Voters took into his consideration his 2.27 ERA and other factors.
Source: http://www.cleveland.com/ohio-sports-blog/index.ssf/2011/07/cleveland_indians_justin_maste.html
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