Three members of the National League West leading Los Angeles Dodgers have been selected to join the National League All-Stars for July 14th contest in St. Louis at Busch Stadium.
Closer Jonathan Broxton, starting pitcher Chad Billingsley, and second baseman Orlando Hudson are on the NL roster, with outfielder Matt Kemp still under consideration as one of the five finalists for the last spot on the roster.
Broxton is 6-0 with 20 saves and an excellent 2.09 ERA. He has struck out 64 hitters in 38.2 innings of work. Broxton took over the full time closer role from Tashaki Saito this season after filling in during Saito's injury ravaged season last year.
Billingsley has emerged as the ace of the starting staff, with his 9-4 record and 3.12 ERA entering Sunday's game. Billingsley is currently in line to pick up his 10th victory of the season against the Padres in a game in which he has hit his first major league home run.
Hudson has solidified the Dodger infield defense since being signed late as a free agent from the division rival Arizona Diamondbacks. It seems he has fully recovered from the fractured wrist that ended his season prematurely last year.
The O-Dog made a debut in fine fashion, becoming the first Dodger to hit for a cycle since Wes Parker in 1970 during the Dodger home opener. Scuffing as of late, Hudson is hitting .288 with 5 homers, 41 RBI, and 22 doubles.
Hudson made the All-Star team in 2007 while with the Diamondbacks but this will be the first time for both Broxton and Billingsley.
Kemp is one of five vying for the final slot in the Final Vote process. It will be a contentious battle as Cristian Guzman of the Washington Nationals, Mark Reynolds from the Arizona Diamondbacks, Pablo Sandoval of blood-rival San Francisco Giants, and Shane Victorino of the defending champion Philadelphia Phillies are also on the ballot.
Kemp is hitting .303 with 10 home runs, 44 RBI and 19 steals coming into Sunday's game. Devensively, he has seven assists from the outfield. If elected, it would be Kemp's first All-Star selection.
One can find their way to the on-line ballot through the Dodger.com website. Voting closes out at 1 p.m. PST this Thursday.
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