This article is part of our Bernie on the Scene series.
This is my final All-Star roster article.
I previously provided my selections for both the American League and National League position player rosters. This week, I will offer my pitching staffs for both leagues.
I have left off some quality pitchers, but I want guys who can come in at any point in the game and stop the opposition.
Some of my choices might not be popular. However, these are the pitchers I believe deserve to be on the teams based upon their performances during the first half of the season.
My pitchers are listed in no particular ranking or order. Stats are as of the start of play Saturday, July 3..
NATIONAL LEAGUE PITCHING STAFF
Jacob deGrom, RHP, Mets
7-2, 14 starts, 0.95 ERA, 85 innings, 11 walks, 135 strikeouts, 0.54 WHIP
Trevor Rogers, LHP, Marlins
7-5, 16 starts, 2.14 ERA, 92.1 innings, 32 walks, 110 strikeouts, 1.04 WHIP
Brandon Woodruff, RHP, Brewers
7-3, 16 starts, 1.87 ERA, 101 innings, 24 walks, 119 strikeouts, 0.78 WHIP
Kevin Gausman, RHP, Giants
8-2, 16 starts, 1.68 ERA, 101.2 innings, 25 walks, 116 strikeouts, 0.81 WHIP
Max Scherzer, RHP, Nationals
7-4, 16 starts, 2.10 ERA, 94.1 innings, 21 walks, 127 strikeouts, 0.85 WHIP
Zack Wheeler, RHP, Phillies
6-4, 17 starts, 2.05 ERA, 114 innings, 25 walks, 139 strikeouts, 0.94 WHIP
Walker Buehler, RHP, Dodgers
8-1, 16 starts, 2.35 ERA, 103.1 innings, 22 walks, 101 strikeouts, 0.90 WHIP
Yu Darvish, RHP, Padres
7-2, 16 starts, 2.44 ERA, 96 innings, 23 walks, 115 strikeouts, 0.94 WHIP
Clayton Kershaw, LHP, Dodgers
9-7, 17 starts, 3.25 ERA, 102.1 innings, 18 walks, 124 strikeouts, 0.98 WHIP
Mark Melancon, RHP, Padres (reliever)
1-0, 25/29 save opportunities, 35.2 innings, 2.27 ERA, 15 walks, 30 strikeouts, 1.21 WHIP
Josh Hader, LHP, Brewers (reliever)
3-0, 20/20 save opportunities, 32.2 innings, 0.55 ERA, 12 walks, 55 strikeouts, 0.73 WHIP
Craig Kimbrel, RHP, Cubs (reliever)
1-2, 20/22 save opportunities, 30.1 innings, 0.59 ERA, 10 walks, 52 strikeouts, 0.66 WHIP
Alex Reyes, RHP, Cardinals (reliever)
5-2, 20/20 save opportunities, 39.2 innings, 0.91 ERA, 31 walks, 52 strikeouts, 1.24 WHIP
Kenley Jansen, RHP, Dodgers (reliever)
0-2, 20/22 save opportunities, 32.2 innings, 1.38 ERA, 20 walks, 37 strikeouts, 0.95 WHIP
Richard Rodriguez, RHP, Pirates (reliever)
3-1, 10/12 save opportunities, 30.1 innings, 2.59 ERA, 3 walks, 27 strikeouts, 0.80 WHIP
My apologies to:
Freddy Peralta, Brewers
Taijuan Walker, Mets
Anthony DeSclafani, Giants
Brad Hand, Nationals
AMERICAN LEAGUE PITCHING STAFF
Gerrit Cole, RHP, Yankees
8-4, 16 starts, 2.66 ERA, 101.2 innings, 17 walks, 129 strikeouts, 0.90 WHIP
Chris Bassitt, RHP, Athletics
9-2, 17 starts, 3.04 ERA, 106.2 innings, 27 walks, 109 strikeouts, 1.03 WHIP
Rich Hill, LHP, Rays
6-3, 16 starts, 3.70 ERA, 82.2 innings, 30 walks, 80 strikeouts, 1.11 WHIP
Nathan Eovaldi, RHP, Red Sox
9-4, 17 starts, 3.41 ERA, 97.2 innings, 19 walks, 90 strikeouts, 1.20 WHIP
Carlos Rodon, LHP, White Sox
6-3, 14 starts, 79 innings, 2.37 ERA, 26 walks, 122 strikeouts, 0.94 WHIP
Lance Lynn, RHP, White Sox
8-3, 15 starts, 84.2 innings, 2.02 ERA, 28 walks, 99 strikeouts, 1.03 WHIP
Zack Greinke, RHP, Astros
8-2, 17 starts, 103.2 innings, 3.65 ERA, 21 walks, 74 strikeouts, 1.15 WHIP
Kyle Gibson, RHP, Rangers
6-0, 16 starts, 95.2 innings, 1.98 ERA, 29 walks, 81 strikeouts, 1.03 WHIP
Yusei Kikuchi, LHP, Mariners
6-3, 15 starts, 93.1 innings, 3.18 ERA, 31 walks, 93 strikeouts, 1.03 WHIP
Jose Berrios, RHP, Twins
7-2, 16 starts, 94.2 innings, 3.52 ERA, 24 walks, 96 strikeouts, 1.14 WHIP
Shohei Ohtani, RHP, Angels
3-1, 12 starts, 60 innings, 3.60 ERA, 35 walks, 83 strikeouts, 1.26 WHIP
Liam Hendriks, RHP, White Sox (reliever)
3-2, 35 innings, 21/24 save opportunities, 2.57 ERA, 4 walks, 53 strikeouts, 0.80 WHIP
Matt Barnes, RHP, Red Sox (reliever)
4-2, 36 innings, 18/22 save opportunities, 2.75 ERA, 9 walks, 61 strikeouts, 0.83 WHIP
Aroldis Chapman, LHP, Yankees (reliever)
5-2, 28.2 innings, 16/19 save opportunities, 3.77 ERA, 19 walks, 49 strikeouts, 1.36 WHIP
Lou Trivino, RHP, Athletics (reliever)
3-3, 39.1 innings, 13/15 save opportunities, 2.06 ERA, 17 walks, 36 strikeouts, 1.17 WHIP
Ryan Pressly, RHP, Astros (reliever)
4-1, 34 innings, 13/14 save opportunities, 1.59 ERA, 5 walks, 43 strikeouts, 0.85 WHIP
My apologies to:
Robbie Ray, Blue Jays
Sean Manaea, Athletics
Ian Kennedy, Rangers
Kendall Graveman, Mariners
Notes:
I did not select any pitchers currently injured in any way, at least I think these guys are all healthy at this point.
I chose Kershaw because I still think he is a dominant left-handed pitcher. I want him on my team.
The National League pitching staff is far superior to the American League, IMO. However, there are some great arms on both clubs.
HEADING HOME
Last week I asked this question: If you were starting a new franchise, what pitcher would you select first? I got several answers. My response: I would start my new, young pitching staff with:
Trevor Rogers, LHP, Age 23
I want that young left-hander to anchor my young, versatile pitching staff. He has a world of talent and his upside leads me to believe that I can ride him for years to come.
My pitching staff would include a balance of left- and right-handed pitchers, highlighting youth, quality and upside:
Trevor Rogers, LHP, Age 23, SP
Jacob deGrom, RHP, Age 33, SP*
Walker Buehler, RHP, Age 26, SP
Shane McClanahan, LHP, Age 24, SP
Alek Manoah, RHP, Age 23, SP
Ian Anderson, RHP, Age 23, SP
Julio Urias, LHP, Age 24, SP
Sandy Alcantara, RHP, Age 25, RP
Sixto Sanchez, RHP, Age 22, RP
Alex Reyes, RHP, Age 26, RP
Freddy Peralta, RHP, Age 25, RP
Dylan Cease, RHP, Age 25, SU
Emmanuel Clase, RHP, Age 23, SU
Michael Kopech, RHP, Age 25, CL
* There is no way I could leave Jacob deGrom off my squad. He doesn't meet the age criterion I consider crucial, but he is the best pitcher on the planet. And he can mentor my young staff.
Today's discussion question?
What is your opinion about starting a runner on second base in extra innings? Comments please.
And feel free to comment below about my pitching staff. Gladly have you offer your own ideas. I want to read your ideas.
Have a great week. And thanks for following me on Twitter @BerniePleskoff and for reading my work at Forbes.com.
