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Justin Steele, Starting Pitcher
Perhaps the most clear-cut, surefire candidate for a spot on the N.L. roster has been starting pitcher Justin Steele. Following an uneventful 2021 and 2022 seasons, Steele is beginning to take form. With still over a month away from the Midsummer Classic, Steele is in a three-way tie for first among N.L. starting pitchers with six wins. In 61.1 innings pitched, Steele has a 2.20 earned run average with 53 strikeouts and 16 walks. With two more wins, he will surpass his win total from the previous two seasons.
During his last start against a strong albeit underachieving Phillies team, Steele went 6 innings with six strikeouts and allowed no runs. Steele has maintained a tremendous amount of poise in his third season. As of now, it's a tossup for who will get the nod to start in Seattle.
Zac Gallen is off to a surprising start in Arizona, while Clayton Kershaw appears to have something left in the tank. More than likely, Steele will not start for the N.L., however, he would be the first Cubs' rotational pitcher to make the All-Star Game since Jon Lester in 2018.