Four Royals, one Cardinal make cut for 2024 MLB All-Star Game
ARLINGTON, Texas (KMIZ)
Major League Baseball unveiled the complete American and National League rosters for the upcoming 2024 All-Star Game, and five combined players on both the Cardinals and Royals will be booking trips to Arlington, Texas.
Ryan Helsley was the only player from St. Louis to be selected for this year's MLB All-Star Game while Cole Ragans, Seth Lugo, Salvador Perez and Bobby Witt Jr. will all represent Kansas City at Globe Life Field. However, none of these players were voted into the starting lineup for next Tuesday's contest.
Helsley is now a two-time All-Star after being nominated for the first time in his professional career back in 2022. The Cardinals' closer has enjoyed record-breaking success during the 2024 campaign. Earlier this season, Helsley broke franchise records in both consecutive saves and most saves before the All-Star break. Major League Baseball's saves leader has converted 31 of his 33 save opportunities this year and owns a 2.41 ERA and 47 strikeouts over his 41 innings of work.
The Royals' 1-2 punch at the top of their pitching rotation were both selected to make their first All-Star Game appearances after a stellar first 19 starts of the season. Ragans has posted a 3.28 ERA with a team-high 134 strikeouts while Lugo leads the American League with a 2.21 ERA and 11 wins.
Witt Jr. will also be an All-Star Game representative for the first time in his career. Kansas City's standout shortstop leads the team in most statistical categories. He has recorded a .324 batting average, 15 home runs, 61 RBIs and 119 total hits this season.
While those three Royals will be making their MLB All-Star Game debut next Tuesday, they will also have a veteran by their side. Perez has now been selected for nine MLB All-Star Games in his career, and the 34-year-old continues to produce in the middle of the Kansas City lineup. The Royals' catcher is batting .276 with 14 home runs and 55 RBIs.
The 2024 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled to get underway at Globe Life Field on Tuesday, July 16 at 7 p.m. on FOX 22.
