SI.com: America's game; Record-setting votes and an All-Star snub?
Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen makes a sliding catch in June.
July 4th, 2011
09:23 AM ET

SI.com: America's game; Record-setting votes and an All-Star snub?

Good work MLB fans. As SI.com's Joe Lemire points out, baseball fans seemed to make the right calls this year when it came to selecting 2011's All-Star teams. Jose Bautista and his record-setting 7.4 million votes certainly prove that. But the biggest snub this year may be Pirates center fielder Andrew McCutchen.

"The Pirates have started to win more, but the credit hasn't followed suit," Lemire writes. "McCutchen has been the club's best hitter by far this season, leading the surprising team (only 2 1/2 games back in the NL Central) in nearly every category: average (.289), on-base percentage (. 390), slugging (. 493), OPS (. 884), runs (48), home runs (12), stolen bases (15), doubles (20), triples (3), walks (46) and total bases (150). As importantly, he ranks third in the majors at that position with a 6.9 Ultimate Zone Rating, meaning he's saved nearly seven runs with his glove. That's an outstanding figure, even if it's far off Diaz's unrealistic projection."

Other players who will be hoping for a much-deserved spot on the All-Star team: Yankees starter CC Sabathia, Rays second baseman/right fielder Ben Zobrist and Braves starter Tommy Hanson.

Though the grills will be going this July 4th, don’t forget to catch some MLB action tonight.

Up today:

Cincinnati Reds vs. St. Louis Cardinals (6:15 p.m., ET) - The Reds are hoping to take their fourth-straight victory over the Cardinals tonight at Busch Stadium.

New York Yankees vs. Cleveland Indians (6:35 p.m., ET)  - Coming off a Subway Series loss to their cross-town rivals, the Yankees will try to bounce back with an away win against the Cleveland Indians.

By The Numbers

6 - Number of hits Yankees slugger Derek Jeter needs to reach 3000. His quest for the historic benchmark was temporarily put on hold by a strained right calf.

40 - Average number of goals Sharks forward Dany Heatley has made in the past six seasons. Heatley was dealt to the Wild Sunday for Martin Havlat.

163 - Number of starts it took driver David Ragan to notch his first Sprint Cup win. Ragan reached Daytona's Victory Lane Saturday night. SI.com's Brant James talks about a wild weekend in Florida in his five things.

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soundoff (5 Responses)
  1. RUFFNUTT

    arrrgh... it's not wise to snub a pirate... tis bad luck...

    July 4, 2011 at 10:39 am | Report abuse |
  2. FAKEY THE WEINER LUSTING TROLL

    DEREK JETER is super hot. l want him to use his baseball bat on me.

    July 4, 2011 at 10:53 am | Report abuse |
  3. Pirate and wolf killah

    Baseball is boring, and it's also like watching the bachelorette.. She's the diamond and all these guys with their bawls or sticks are getting a chance with her and the winner is essentially the one who doesn't mind swimming in creamy, salty, bleach smelling juices. That's why ball players are always spitting seeds or something while they grab themselves. Stealing a base sounds kind of like scchmexxual assault, but it's really just getting a piece behind the "pitcher's" back. Another reason why I don't like baseball other than it's boring.

    July 4, 2011 at 2:33 pm | Report abuse |
  4. Mack

    2nd degree

    July 4, 2011 at 5:47 pm | Report abuse |
  5. Derek Jeeter

    YO wolf killah. My middle finger to you. Stick it where the sun dont shine.O you would like that.

    July 4, 2011 at 8:38 pm | Report abuse |