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There was a time when only Jose Altuve would be the only clear choice for the All-Star Game. No more.
The Houston Astros will have five players representing the Bayou City on the 88th MLB All-Star Game will be played on Tuesday, July 11 at Marlins Park in Miami.
Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, shortstop Carlos Correa, and George Springer were voted as starters for the 2017 American League All-Star Team. Left-handed pitcher Dallas Keuchel and right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. were named to the game from a combination of the Player Ballot and Major League Baseball’s Office of the Commissioner.
Studs. pic.twitter.com/nRkLsQoLWt
— Houston Astros (@astros) July 2, 2017
It is the second in franchise history that the Astros have five All-Stars selected in a single season. The team previously had five in 1994 with Jeff Bagwell, Craig Biggio, Ken Caminiti, Doug Drabek and John Hudek. Houston also has three players voted into the starting lineup by the fans for the first time.
Altuve was selected by the fans for the third straight year at second base and his fifth overall selection. It is the second All-Star selection for Keuchel and the first All-Star Game for Correa, Springer, and McCullers.
Altuve is in the top 10 of batting averaged (.327), hits (100), on-base percentage (.399), stolen bases (16), runs scored (53) and on-base percentage (.922). He currently leads all AL second basemen in batting, hits, OBP and OPS. Correa in the top 10 among American League hitters in on-base percale (.388), RBIs (55), batting average (.311), OPS (.931), hits ( 91) and homer runs (17).
Springer has 24 home runs this season, tied for second-most in the Majors. He leads the league with nine leadoff home runs.
Keuchel is 9-0 with a 1.67 ERA (14ER/75.2IP), 69 strikeouts and a .183 opponent batting average (48x262). McCullers Jr. is 7-1 with a 2.69 ERA (26ER/87IP) and 103 strikeouts in 15 first-half starts.