Jul 3, 2015; Bronx, NY, USA; Tampa Bay Rays starting pitcher
Chris Archer(22) pitches against the New York Yankees during the third inning at Yankee Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Falling
(American League team that is struggling)
Tampa Bay Rays: They went from leading the division to being stuck just as close to the bottom as they are to the top. Tampa has gone into a tailspin, losing 9 of their last 10 games to drop to .500 on the season with a -8 run differential.
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The Rays will send two pitchers to the All-Star game. Chris Archer has been one of the league’s most dominant starters, posting a 2.18 ERA that ranks second in the league, while recording the third most strikeouts with 141.
Then there is Brad Boxberger, who was somehow selected despite leading one of the worst bullpens in the league. His 3.55 ERA and 1.39 WHIP don’t seem like All-Star quality numbers. Save totals are overrated, but ranking fourth in the league in the category could have earned him the nod. If that were the case, why wasn’t Koji Uehara selected when he is tied with Boxberger in that category and has better overall numbers?