We’ve got seven reasons for you.
1. Adam Duvall
The Reds outfielder is a first-time All-Star, a nod he earned by smacking 23 home runs. He is tied with Nolan Arenado of Colorado for No. 2 in the National League, trailing Chicago Cub Kris Bryant’s 25.
2. Jay Bruce
A bounce-back season has the Reds right fielder back in the All-Star Game for the third time in his career. Could it be his last as a member of the Cincinnati club?
3. Johnny Cueto
The former Reds ace is having a pretty nice 12 months. He won a World Series last October with the Kansas City Royals (after a midseason trade from the Reds) and enters the All-Star break with a sterling 13-1 record for the San Francisco Giants (who signed him for $130 million in the offseason). He’ll toe the rubber to start the game for the NL.
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4. David Ortiz
The 40-year-old Boston Red Sox slugger is tied for sixth in the American League with 22 home runs in his 20th and final season. The fans want to see Big Papi on the field one last time and will get their wish after voting him in. And don’t be surprised to see a few Ortizes in the stands, either: He led all players in jersey sales during the first half of the season.
5. Lots of Cubs
Seven members of the National League Central's top team are All-Stars this season, but you will find most of them gathered fairly close together. Per MLB.com, the NL starting infield of Anthony Rizzo at first base, Ben Zobrist at second, Bryant at third and Addison Russell at shortstop represents just the second time in All-Star Game history one team had a starter at every position in the infield. The only other time it happened? For the Cardinals in 1963.
6. Bartolo Colon
The 43-year-old Mets starter might be the unlikeliest All-Star, but he is definitely Twitter's favorite.
Colon was selected by his manager, Terry Collins, to replace Madison Bumgarner of the Giants, who became ineligible when he started for San Francisco on Sunday.
7. Jeurys Familia
All those Cubs would no doubt like to get a win to secure home-field advantage in the World Series – if they can get past the Mets and whoever else they might run into along the way. The NL won’t have flamethrowing former Red Aroldis Chapman if it needs a closer, but Collins has to feel comfortable with Familia, who is 31 for 31 in save opportunities this season for his club.
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