Chicago Cubs

Javier Báez, Willson Contreras Named All-Star Game Starters

Both players started in the game last season in Washington D.C.

For the second straight year, the Chicago Cubs will be well-represented on the National League All-Star roster, as Javier Báez and Willson Contreras were named as starters on Thursday night.

Báez will be a starter for the second straight year, and is only the fourth player in history to be voted in as a starter at two different positions in consecutive seasons, according to MLB. He will be the starting shortstop for the National League squad in this year’s game in Cleveland.

The shortstop edged out Trevor Story of the Colorado Rockies and Dansby Swanson of the Atlanta Braves.  

Contreras was named as the National League’s starting catcher, and will be in the lineup for the second straight year after being named the starting designated hitter for the club in last year’s game in Washington.

According to Gordon Wittenmyer of the Chicago Sun-Times, Contreras is the first Cubs catcher to be elected a starter at the position since Gabby Hartnett achieved that honor all the way back in 1937.

A group of fellow Cubs did not earn starting spots, as Kris Bryant lost out to Nolan Arenado at third base and Anthony Rizzo lost in the final round of voting to Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman.

Albert Almora Jr., Kyle Schwarber, and Jason Heyward are also competing for spots in the outfield.

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