BOSTON — Everything you need to know about the Boston Red Sox’s defense of their World Series title was summed up neatly Sunday. After falling in 12 innings to the Baltimore Orioles, they had only one player named to the American League team for the All-Star Game.
Although closer Koji Uehara likely will be added to the AL roster as a replacement, ace lefty Jon Lester was the only Red Sox player named to the AL team, which will be managed by Sox skipper John Farrell.
Surprising?
“A little bit,” Lester said after the Sox fell to 39-49, a season-worst 10 games below .500. “I don’t know what that attests to or whatever. Yeah, you would figure there would be a few more guys.”
However, most of the Red Sox’s top players are having subpar seasons. Second baseman Dustin Pedroia is batting only .284 with a .354 on-base percentage, while designated hitter David Ortiz is batting only .261 despite leading the team with 19 homers.
Lester has the All-Star credentials, going 9-7 with a 2.73 ERA in 122 innings over 18 starts. He also will be a free agent at season’s end, and it appears he will test the market after the Red Sox made a lowball offer of four years and $70 million.
“I’m obviously honored,” Lester said of being chosen for his third All-Star Game. “It’s a big honor to represent the Red Sox and get to go to the All-Star Game and get to play a game with a lot of the great players in the game, and I’m fortunate enough to be a part of it.”