Santana and Sano Selected to 2017 AL All Star Team

Two Twins will be playing in the 2017 All Star Game.

Third baseman Miguel Sano and pitcher Ervin Santana were selected as reserves by AL manager Terry Francona.  Though Sano had a sizable lead heading into the final days of fan voting, he came up short against Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez.

Here are the starters for the American League:
C:  Salvador Perez-Royals
1B:  Justin Smoak-Blue Jays
2B:  Jose Altuve-Astros
SS:  Carlos Correa-Astros
3B:  Jose Ramirez-Indians
OF:  Aaron Judge-Yankees
OF:  Mike Trout-Angels (will not play due to injury; replacement TBA)
OF:  George Springer-Astros
DH:  Corey Dickerson-Rays
AL Reserves and Pitchers (By Team)
Orioles-2B Jonathan Schoop
Red Sox-OF Mookie Betts; P Chris Sale and Craig Kimbel
White Sox-OF Avisail Garcia
Indians-SS Francisco Lindor; OF Michael Brantley; P Corey Kluber and Andrew Miller
Tigers-P Andrew Fulmer
Astros-P Dallas Keuchel and Lance McCullers Jr.
Royals-P Jason Vargas
Twins-3b Miguel Sano and P Ervin Santana
Yankees-C Gary Sanchez; 2b Starlin Castro; P Luis Severino and Dylan Betances
A's- 1B Yonder Alonso
Mariners-DH Nelson Cruz
Rangers-P Yu Darvish

Analyzing the Picks;  It's been an outstanding season so far for the Astros, with four players selected.  Keuchel has been on the disabled list due to a neck injury so he may or may not play.  They have a solid middle infield in Altuve and Correa and great production in the leadoff spot from Springer.  Judge is a solid candidate for AL Rookie of the Year.  The big question is, who will replace Trout, who has been sidelined with a thumb injury and is on a rehab assignment with Inland Empire.  Will it be Brantley or will Francona add a veteran like Jose Bautista to the roster?  Who will it be?  It's up in the air

Here are the starters for the National League:
C:  Buster Posey-Giants
1B: Ryan Zimmerman-Nationals
2B:  Daniel Murphy-Nationals
SS: Zach Cosart-Reds
3B:  Nolan Arenado-Rockies
OF: Bryce Harper-Nationals
OF: Charlie Blackmon-Rockies
OF:  Marcell Ozuna-Marlins
NL Reserves and Pitchers (By Team)
Diamondbacks:  1B Paul Goldschmidt; 3B Jake Lamb; P Robbie Ray and Zach Greinke
Braves:  OF Ender Inciarte
Cubs:  P Wade Davis
Reds-1B Joey Votto
Rockies-2B DJ LaMahieu; P Greg Holland
Dodgers:  3B Corey Seager; OF Cody Bellinger; P Clayton Kershaw and Kenley Jansen
Marlins: OF Giancarlo Stanton
Brewers:  P Corey Knebel
Mets:  OF Michael Conforto
Phillies:  P Pat Neshek
Pirates:  2B  Josh Harrison
Cardinals:  C Yadier Molina; P Carlos Martinez
Padres: P Brad Hand
Nationals:  P Max Scherzer and Stephen Strasburg

Note:  The 32nd player for each team will be chosen by fan vote.

Analyzing the picks:  Last year the starting infield was All Cubs with Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Addison Russell and Kris Bryant.  None of them are going to Miami.  Instead there are three Nationals who could give the Nation's Capitol a shot at their first pennant since 1924 in Zimmerman, Murphy and Harper in the outfield.  There's also an outstanding crop of reserves headline by Goldschmidt, Votto and Stanton.  They key is their pitching with solid starters in Scherzer, Strasburg and Kershaw.  Two NL reserves with Minnesota roots will make the trip to South Florida, Brad Hand from Chaska and former Twin Pat Neshek who came from Brooklyn Park.

Who will be the starting pitchers?  AL:  Vargas or Sale.  NL:  Scherzer.

The All Star Game takes place Tuesday, July 11 at Marlins Park in Miami.