Wednesday Links

Photo by Kelly O’Connor of sittingstill.smugmug.com

In sports, All-Star games are often scrutinized for not being entertaining enough to watch, but that wasn’t the case during Tuesday night’s 81st annual MLB All-Star game. Felix Hernandez toed the rubber first for the American League squad, and was opposed by St. Louis Cardinals ace, Adam Wainwright. In his last All-Star game, Derek Jeter lead off the game with a classic Jeter inside out double to right field. Mike Trout then followed Jeter with an RBI triple off the right field wall, and later scored on a home run by Miguel Cabrera. With the American League up 3-0 in the second, Red Sox ace Jon Lester pitched an inning and allowed 2 runs to score on 3 hits. Down by a run in the 4th inning, Jonathan Lucroy pulled the National League even with an RBI double to score Dee Gordon. However, an inning later the American League was quick to respond, as Mike Trout delivered an RBI double, and Jose Altuve popped an sac fly to push the score to 5-3. After the 5th inning, the American League used 6 pitchers to hold the lead; including a scoreless third of an inning from Koji Uehara. Minnesota native, and Twins closer Glen Perkins put the finishing touches on the win that secured home field advantage for the American League in the World Series. Mike Trout was the MVP of the game, and joined Ken Griffy Jr. as the only player to win All-Star Game MVP honors before the age of 23.

• Ever since it was ruled that the All-Star game would decide home field advantage in the World Series, there’s been seemingly non-stop debate about the importance — or lack there of — of the midsummer classic. A new chapter was added to this debate when National League starter Adam Wainwright admitted to throwing hittable pitches to Derek Jeter, since it was his last All-Star game. (Show or showdown? Major League Baseball can’t have it both ways anymore)

• While the Red Sox were represented by just two players on the field, Boston’s presence was greatly felt on the coaching staff. Taking advantage of his role as manager for the American League, John Farrell invited just about every coach the Red Sox currently have on their staff. (Red Sox coaching staff enjoying reward of All-Star Game)

• So far this season Jackie Bradley Jr. hasn’t assimilated to the MLB like the Red Sox had hoped he would. While his defense has been phenomenal, his struggles at the plate have made a glaring hole in Boston’s order for most of the year. However, since pinpointing the problem in his swing mechanics, Bradley Jr. has made the necessary adjustments and has recently enjoyed better offensive results. (Jackie Bradley Jr. is finally flourishing)

• At its surface, the idea of a home run derby is great. After all, what’s more fun than watching some of the games best power hitters unload on lobs from batting practice pitchers? But while the idea seems like a whole lot of fun, the MLB seems more focused on filling time, rather than offering an exciting event. (The Home Run Derby is boring, let’s fix it)

• A shutdown left-handed reliever is perhaps the most selfless job on the 25 man roster, but come the trade deadline, this altruistic position sky rockets in value. For the Red Sox, Andrew Miller is probably one of the least known pitchers to the casual fan, but his dominance out of the pen has made him an enticing trade commodity. (Should the Red Sox trade Andrew Miller?)

• Tweet of the day: If Jose Abreu doesn’t publicly sing the National Anthem at some point in his career, we all lose…