WASHINGTON _ Jacob deGrom never stops competing. The Mets ace leads not only the National League in ERA, but all major-league starters. Making his second trip to the All-Star Game, he thinks that should mean he gets the start.
"I want to start the game," deGrom said this weekend. "I want it."
But deGrom knows there are always politics involved with baseball.
Nationals ace Max Scherzer, whose 2.41 ERA is fourth in the NL, is likely to be tabbed by Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts to make the start for the NL team Tuesday night for the All-Star Game at Nationals Park.
DeGrom, who has a 1.68 ERA and just five wins because of the struggles of the team behind him, knows he probably won't get the start, but he wasn't giving up hope.
"I think that getting chosen to an All-Star Game is an honor," said deGrom, who struck out three on 10 pitches in the 2015 Midsummer Classic. "Getting chosen as the starting pitcher is a step above that, so it would be an honor to start it. I'd like that, but I guess, we'll have to see what happens."
