Yankees’ Beltran, Betances, Miller Going To All-Star Game

The Yankees will be sending Carlos Beltran, Dellin Betances and Andrew Miller to represent them in the All-Star Game in San Diego on Tuesday.

Beltran is their leading hitter and Betances and Miller anchor their dominant bullpen.

“I think they deserve it,” Yankees manager Joe Girardi said. “They’re a big part of what we do here, and I’m happy for all three of them.”

The Yankees are in the playoff chase largely because of these three top performers.

Beltran has been the main source of Yankees offense, as Alex Rodriguez, Mark Teixeira, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Brian McCann have all had down years.

In his third season in pinstripes, Beltran has had a career year, as he leads the Yankees with a .302 average, 19 home runs, and 54 RBI. He is seventh in the American League in home runs and is tied for 13th in RBI.
“It’s great, man,” Beltran said on Tuesday. “It’s a great accomplishment. I’m fortunate, man. Every single one is special, and this will be special also.”

This is Beltran’s ninth All-Star selection, and his first as a Yankee, and his last appearance came in 2013 as a member of the St. Louis Cardinals at Citi Field. He made the All-Star Game five times as a Met, in 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, and 2011.

At 39, he will be the second-oldest player in the game, after Boston’s David Ortiz, who was voted in at designated hitter.

Betances is a perfect three-for-three, as has made it to the All-Star Game in each of his first three seasons in the majors.

“I’m just honored and blessed to be able to go for a third time,” Betances said. “I didn’t go to many in the minor leagues, so I’m making up for that, I guess.”

This season, he has continued to be the strikeout machine the Yankees need him to be in the seventh inning, as he has racked up 74 strikeouts in 41 innings. He has also allowed 12 earned runs on 31 hits and nine walks.

For his career, Betances has 352 strikeouts in 222 2/3 innings.

Betances has struck out 46.3 percent of the batters he faced through Monday, second-best in the majors to Miller, who has struck out 48.2 percent of the opposing hitters he has faced.

Miller will be making his first appearance in the All-Star Game. He is in his 11th season in the majors, having also pitched for Detroit, Florida, Boston, and Baltimore.

After serving as the Yankees closer last season, Miller shifted to the eighth inning when closer Aroldis Chapman joined the team in May.

“We’ve started to see that relievers can be recognized and can really impact games,” Miller said on Tuesday night. “You don’t have to throw the ninth inning.”

The strikeout totals are very impressive, as Miller has 66 strikeouts in 36 2/3 innings pitched, and is on pace to surpass the 100 strikeouts he had last season in 61 2/3 innings.

He has seven saves on the season, along with 13 holds, with just six earned runs surrendered on 20 hits and five walks.

About the Author

Get connected with us on Social Media