Steve Webb
LOS ANGELES, CA — MLB announced on Saturday that Tyler Anderson will be on the roster for Tuesday’s All-Star Game, replacing Giants’ lefty Carlos Rodón. Not sure if Rodón is a little worn down after his last start or has an actual injury. Nevertheless, since he last pitched on Thursday, he may have just decided he rather have the break.
Anyway, it is nice to see Anderson’s remarkable season being recognized in this way. To think that he didn’t even crack the rotation going out of Spring Training, it must make the accomplishment even more sweet.
Anderson, a bit of a journeyman who pitched for four different teams before arriving in LA, has had quite the year. He started out piggybacking on the tail end of Tony Gonsolin starts (so cool that they both are All-Stars), but when Heaney and Kershaw went down with early injuries, he moved into the rotation, and there he has stayed ever since.
Anderson has started 15 games for the Dodgers this year (17 appearances overall). In that time, he’s compiled an impressive body of work. 10-1 with a 2.96 ERA. And like his fellow All-Star Clayton Kershaw, he flirted with a no-hitter, pitching 8.1 hitless innings back in June. Anderson’s WHIP is 1.02, and his average against is .228. Good numbers, and for Anderson, a career year is underway.
A little bummed that Julio isn’t in there, but Anderson is very deserving of this honor.
Okay. Will Smith, anyone? Freddie Freeman? Is this mic on?
