Los Angeles Dodgers’ future Hall of Fame pitcher Clayton Kershaw was added to the National League roster for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, where this edition will feature 19 debutants for the game on July 15 at Truist Park in Atlanta. The left-handed pitcher, a three-time Cy Young Award winner who was part of his first All-Star team in 2011, was included in his 11th roster as a special selection by the commissioner.
Kershaw, who became the fourth left-hander to reach 3,000 strikeouts in his career, has a record of 4-0 with a 3.43 ERA in nine starts this season after beginning the season on the injured list. He joins Albert Pujols and Miguel Cabrera as a legend, after both sluggers were selected in 2022.
A well-deserved call after a very difficult few months for the Dodgers pitcher
Clayton Kershaw would be the sentimental choice to start in the National League, although Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who leads National League pitchers in ERA and WAR, could be on his way to starting his second straight game. Philadelphia Phillies right-hander Zack Wheeler, a three-time All-Star, is 9-3 with a 2.17 ERA after Sunday’s complete-game victory and would also be a strong candidate to start.
Among the All-Stars announced for the first time on Sunday are his teammate Yoshinobu Yamamoto; Washington Nationals outfielder James Wood and left-handed pitcher MacKenzie Gore; Houston Astros ace Hunter Brown and shortstop Jeremy Pena; and 34-year-old Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd.
The presence of the Los Angeles Dodgers in the All-Star Game
The Los Angeles Dodgers lead all teams with five representatives: Kershaw, Yamamoto and starters Shohei Ohtani, Freddie Freeman and Will Smith. It is worth noting that Clayton Kershaw has had one All-Star start in his career, in 2022 at Dodger Stadium. The Detroit Tigers (57-34), leaders of the American League, and the Mariners have four each.
Among the first-time All-Stars who were previously chosen to start by the fans are Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Oakland Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson, Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn and Chicago Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.
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