Bases Covered is a daily roundup of the most interesting stories in baseball.
Cubs BFFs
Two rookies are headed to the All-Star Game this year: Dodgers centre-fielder Joc Pederson and Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant. For Bryant, though, it’ll be extra special: He’s headed to Cincinnati with Anthony Rizzo, who isn’t just his teammate—they’ve become fast friends. “It’s going to be an unbelievable experience for us together,” said Rizzo.
All-Star snubs
Every year when the the All-Star teams are announced, great players get overlooked. But who are this year’s biggest snubs? Here’s a list, which includes the likes of Clayton Kershaw and Joey Votto. In the eyes of Yahoo’s Jeff Passan, Kershaw being overlooked is especially appalling (he has one final shot at earning the nod with the “final vote”)—the omission suggests that MLB’s All-Star Game has lost its way.
67th time’s a charm
Cubs starter Jon Lester finally has a hit. Monday versus the Cardinals in his 67th career MLB at bat (not counting the post-season), the 31-year-old hit a single. “Hopefully it’s going to lead to more hits,” Cubs manager Joe Maddon said after the game before adding a backhanded compliment: “There’s a lot of guys with worse swings than he has that have gotten hits.”
The bad news? While Lester took a no-hitter into the seventh, the bid was broken up by Jhonny Peralta, who hit a single. The Cubs eventually lost, 6–0.
Pitchers’ bats
Despite the Mets’ continued offensive struggles, the team’s pitching has been solid. And what’s more, the team’s pitchers have been contributing on offence: Here’s how they’re doing it.
Papelbon wants out
Phillies closer Jonathan Papelbon is apparently desperate for a trade. The 34-year-old in the final year of his contract told reporters: “I think everybody knows where I’m at. I’ve always been straightforward that I want to go play for a contender, and I’m not going to shy away from it.”