MLB All-Star Game 2016: 5 biggest NL snubs

Aug 15, 2015; New York City, NY, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates left fielder Starling Marte (6) and center fielder Andrew McCutchen (22) and right fielder Gregory Polanco (25) celebrate the win after the fourteenth inning of the game against the New York Mets at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory J. Fisher-USA TODAY Sports /

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Jun 24, 2016; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer (31) throws a pitch during the first inning against the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports /

5.Max Scherzer

The National League pitching staff is excellent this year. Still, it was pretty weird to look up and down the roster and not see “Mad Max’s” name. Especially after last season in which he finished in the top five in Cy Young voting.

This season has not been quite as strong, but he is still one of the elite pitchers in the game. He only sits at 18th in ERA, but has been a workhorse for the Nationals who sit in first place. Scherzer is second in the National League in innings pitched.

With that he is third in the league in strikeout rate, and is ninth in WAR. Based on WAR, Scherzer is having a better season than Jon Lester, Julio Teheran or any of the relievers on the roster. He also has a higher strikeout rate than any of the relievers, which is really impressive when you consider the difference in innings pitched.

Not to bash the need for a relief pitcher in an All-Star game, but if the game is counting for something, and the potential of home field advantage is on the line, wouldn’t they rather have Scherzer throwing one inning than Mark Melancon or A.J. Ramos? It is a tough call given the strength of the NL pitching, but they could have found a way to get Max Scherzer on the roster.

Next: 4. Jake Lamb

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