Scherzer chosen to start for NL in All-Star Game (with NL lineup)

To no one's surprise, Nationals right-hander Max Scherzer was this afternoon named as the starting pitcher for the National League in Tuesday night's All-Star Game in Miami.

NL manager Joe Maddon of the Cubs made the announcement Monday afternoon in a press conference televised live on MLB Network.

Maddon said he'd have chosen Scherzer over Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw even if Kershaw hadn't taken himself out of the running for the assignment by pitching a complete game in a 5-2 win over the Royals on Sunday. Kershaw is 14-2 with a 2.18 ERA and 0.88 WHIP.

"I looked at it pretty closely," Maddon said at the press conference. "I have a ton of respect for Mr. Kershaw also. But if you just broke down the numbers, I am being honest, I had already chosen Max, based on what I had just read numerically."

Scherzer's 2.10 ERA and 178 strikeouts lead the NL at the All-Star break, and his 0.78 WHIP tops all qualified major league starting pitchers. The defending NL Cy Young Award winner is 10-5 in 18 starts this season.

"It's unbelievable to get the nod," Scherzer said during a press conference televised on MLB Network. "This is such an incredible accomplishment. When you walk in this clubhouse and you're with all the All-Stars, you're tickled to be in that clubhouse with that recognition. When you have a manager say, 'We're going to give you the ball,' it's icing on the cake. For me to have the opportunity to go out there and represent the National League, this is stuff you never forget. And when you get the opportunity - I'm kicking at the dirt to be able to go out there and pitch."

He will be the fifth pitcher to start for both the NL and American League, having started the 2013 game at Citi Field in New York while representing the Tigers. The other pitchers to start All-Star Games for both leagues are Vida Blue (AL, 1971, 1975; NL, 1978); Roger Clemens (AL, 1986, 2001; NL, 2004); Roy Halladay (AL, 2009; NL, 2011); and Hall of Famer Randy Johnson (AL, 1995, 1997; NL, 2000, 2001).

Scherzer will be opposed by left-hander Chris Sale of the Red Sox, who will be starting a second consecutive All-Star Game for the AL. Last year, he started in a White Sox uniform.

"I enjoy facing the best," Scherzer said. "It's what you look for. I mean, you get a chance to obviously be in the All-Star Game to face the best hitter in the game, potentially, that's what you look for. So it will be fun."

With Scherzer as the starting pitcher for the NL, the NL East-leading Nationals will have four players in the league's starting lineup. First baseman Ryan Zimmerman, second baseman Daniel Murphy and right fielder Bryce Harper were elected to the starting lineup in fan voting, with Harper amassing more votes than any other major leaguer.

Here's how the NL will line up in Tuesday's Midsummer Classic:

CF Charlie Blackmon
DH Giancarlo Stanton
RF Bryce Harper
C Buster Posey
2B Daniel Murphy
3B Nolan Arenado
1B Ryan Zimmerman
LF Marcell Ozuna
SS Zack Cozart

RHP Max Scherzer