Mike Matheny Names Adam Wainwright Starter for NL All-Star Team

Jul 14, 2014; Minneapolis, MN, USA; National League manager Mike Matheny (left) with starting pitcher Adam Wainwright (right) during media day the day before the 2014 MLB All Star Game at Hyatt Regency. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Curry-USA TODAY Sports

According to reports, St. Louis Cardinals’ ace Adam Wainwright will be the starting pitcher for the National League in Tuesday’s All-Star Game.

Mike Matheny, Cardinals manager, is also the head-man for the NL All-Star team, and he decided to give “Waino” the start over, notably, Clayton Kershaw of the Dodgers. Kershaw currently leads NL starting pitchers in ERA at the break, with a spectacular 1.78. Kershaw also boasts an 11-2 record.

That’s not to say Wainwright isn’t a deserving starter though, or that Matheny gave him the “you’re my guy” nod. “Waino” has pitched far more than Kershaw, notching 138 innings compared to Kershaw’s 96.1 before the break. He’s second in the NL with a 1.83 ERA, he leads the league with 3 complete games thrown, and he’s gone at least seven innings in 16-of-19 starts. Wainwright boasts a 12-4 record, and he was the first pitcher in the league to get to 11 wins.

Without a doubt, the Cardinals’ ace was a worthy pick for starter of the 2014 MLB All-Star Game.

Pitching opposite of Wainwright will be American League starter Felix Hernandez. In 144.1 innings pitched for the Seattle Mariners, Hernandez boasts a 2.12 ERA and an 11-2 record.

The All-Star game will be played this Tuesday, July 15h at 8:00 p.m. EST. Minneapolis is hosting the event at Target Field.

Other Cardinals who made the All-Star team include setup man Pat Neshek, third baseman Matt Carpenter and catcher Yadier Molina, who was voted on by the fans to be the starter.

Because of a torn thumb ligament suffered last week that will keep Yadi out for 8-to-12 weeks after surgery though, Arizona’s Miguel Montero will replace Molina on the NL roster. Milwaukee Brewers catcher Jonathan Lucroy will move from reserve to starter for the NL at catcher.