Cubs Dominate National League All-Star Team with Five Starters

If you were to write a feel good story about the Cubs, given the long and sometimes tenuous history of the franchise, the first half of 2016 and would a pretty good script.

Today the all-star teams were announced for both the National and American Leagues and for only the second time in history a team – the Cubs – will field all four starting infielders. The last, and only time that happened was in 1963.

In total, the Cubs will send seven players to the all-star festivities, that includes two pitchers, Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester – who was selected by Terry Collins. Here’s a breakdown of each of the 2016 Chicago Cubs all-stars:

1B Anthony Rizzo: .282/.401/.567, 2.8 WAR (2nd in majors in position), wRC+ 154, 20 HR, 49 R, 61 RBI

2B Ben Zobrist: .296/.404/.473, 2.9 WAR (5th), wRC+ 136, 11 HR, 55 R, 43 RBI

SS Addison Russell: .238/.336/.392, 1.5 WAR (12th), wRC+ 93, 9 HR, 32 R, 45 RBI

3B: Kris Bryant: .279/.373/.575, 4.3 WAR (2nd), wRC+ 149, 24 HR, 67 R, 63 RBI

OF Dexter Fowler: .290/.398/.483, 2.8 WAR (5th), wRC+ 139, 7 HR, 41 R, 28 RBI

P Jake Arrieta: 12-3, 2.33 ERA, 2.89 FIP, 3.40 xFIP, 2.9 WAR (8th)

P Jon Lester: 9-4, 2.67 ERA, 3.69 FIP, 3.49 xFIP, 2.0 WAR (26th)

The all-star game takes place in San Diego at Petco Park on Tuesday, July 12th at 4 PM CDT. This year, with so many of the Cubs players representing the National League, and with the great start the Cubs have gotten off to, it’s easy to see how the outcome of this game could have a direct impact on their destiny.

As we all know, the winner of the all-star game earns home field advantage in the World Series. Yes, I just said that in relation to our beloved Cubs, mid-way through the 2016 season and yes, it was awesome to have the honor of doing such.