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MLB All-Star Game: National League lineup predictions

By Nathaniel Reeves

Oct 3, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) heads out on his two run home run during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Washington Nationals won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports
Oct 3, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Washington Nationals right fielder Bryce Harper (34) heads out on his two run home run during the eighth inning against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Washington Nationals won 3-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports /
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Aug 6, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) pitches during the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Dodgers won 10-8. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports
Aug 6, 2015; Philadelphia, PA, USA; Los Angeles Dodgers relief pitcher Kenley Jansen (74) pitches during the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies at Citizens Bank Park. The Dodgers won 10-8. Mandatory Credit: Bill Streicher-USA TODAY Sports /

Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers. Trevor Rosenthal, St. Louis Cardinals. Brad Ziegler, Arizona Diamondbacks. Jonathan Papelbon, Washington Nationals. Jeurys Familia, New York Mets. Jeremy Jeffress, Milwaukee Brewers.

Relief Pitcher

Most of the game’s current top relievers are in the AL, as the New York Yankees and Royals have both assembled lockdown bullpens, while Craig Kimbrel was traded to the Junior Circuit for the first time. However, the NL will have at least one relief ace of its own.

Jansen has been one of the best relievers in the Majors over the past five years, compiling a career 2.23 ERA (2.00 FIP) with nearly 14 strikeouts per nine innings according to FanGraphs. The performance of the Dodgers’ bullpen has raised some serious questions so far, but Jansen is yet to allow a run in seven save opportunists.

While Papelbon isn’t exactly the most well-liked player out there, he’s going to be near the top of the saves leaderboard by the break on a first place Nationals team. Rosenthal and Familia will get similar boosts to their counting numbers with plenty of save opportunities on winning clubs.

With Will Smith injured, Jeffress has the exclusive hold on the closer job in Milwaukee. Jeffress has yet to allow a run in 6.2 innings and stands out as the best choice to be the Brewers’ representative.

The biggest surprise here is Ziegler, although he will have to hold off Tyler Clippard as the closer in Arizona. Ziegler has been sneaky good for the past few years, and has four saves to his name already in 2016.

For more MLB All-Star Game coverage, be sure to check out our baseball hub page. 

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