How many Orioles will make the All-Star team?

The Orioles will find out tonight how many of their players are headed to the All-Star Game in Miami. Or at least they can talk about it publicly, with the news embargoed until after 7 p.m.

They already know that they won't have any starters. There wasn't much drama in the voting, with third baseman Manny Machado and catcher Welington Castillo losing ground each week among the top five at their respective positions.

Adam Jones fell out of the top 15 in outfield voting.

Second baseman Jonathan Schoop is most deserving of a selection, but it's a crowded position. Rookie Trey Mancini has a shot. And reliever Mychal Givens has supporters in the industry who could keep pushing for his inclusion.

Manager Buck Showalter is fine with Dylan Bundy getting the recognition, but he really doesn't want the young right-hander to pitch. Indians manager Terry Francona will have to take it into consideration.

Jonathan Schoop points up black.jpgCould the Orioles be left with only one representative? It happened 10 times within an 11-year period from 2001-2011. The exception was 2005 with second baseman Brian Roberts, shortstop Miguel Tejada, third baseman Melvin Mora and reliever B.J. Ryan being honored at Comerica Park in Detroit.

Tejada homered off John Smoltz, drove in two runs and was named Most Valuable Player.

The Orioles could have a player included in the All-Star Game Final Vote. Fans cast their votes from a list of five players from each League over the balloting period, with the winners announced July 6 at 6 p.m. on MLB Network.

The Orioles' single representatives were third baseman Cal Ripken Jr. in 2001, third baseman Tony Batista in 2002, Mora in 2003, Tejada in 2004 and 2006, Roberts in 2007, closer George Sherrill in 2008, center fielder Jones in 2009, first baseman Ty Wigginton in 2010 and catcher Matt Wieters in 2011.

Batista also was an All-Star with the Blue Jays in 2000. Range in the field wasn't a prerequisite. Wigginton was one and done, a reminder of the lean years in Baltimore.

Jones, Wieters and closer Jim Johnson made the All-Star team in 2012, as the Orioles ended their streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons. Jones, Machado, starter Chris Tillman, first baseman Chris Davis and shortstop J.J. Hardy made it the following year. Jones, Wieters and designated hitter Nelson Cruz represented the Orioles in 2014, Machado, Jones, closer Zach Britton and reliever Darren O'Day in 2015, and Britton, Machado, Trumbo, Wieters and reliever Brad Brach last summer.

As for today's game, Kevin Gausman's ERA has dropped from 6.60 to 6.07 in his last two starts. He's allowed three runs in 11 innings, with four walks and 13 strikeouts.

Gausman still isn't getting deep into his starts, his pitch counts elevated in part by so many foul balls, but the flashes of his second-half dominance last summer are evident.

Today marks Gausman's first start against the Rays this season. He's 3-4 with a 4.80 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in 11 career games (nine starts) over 50 2/3 innings.

Evan Longoria is 7-for-24 (.292) with a double and a home run against Gausman. Trevor Plouffe is 4-for-9 (.444) with two doubles and a home run.

In Alex Cobb's last four starts, he's surrendered five earned runs (six total) with six walks and 18 strikeouts in 27 2/3 innings. He hasn't given up a home run.

Cobb faced the Orioles on April 26 in Baltimore and allowed two earned runs (three total) and eight hits in five innings in the Rays' 5-4 loss. He's 4-1 with a 2.00 ERA and 1.222 WHIP in nine career starts against the Orioles, with 12 earned runs (16 total) in 54 innings, and 2-0 with a 3.65 ERA and 1.622 WHIP in five starts at Camden Yards over 24 2/3 innings.

Trumbo is 4-for-13 (.308) with two doubles against Cobb. Machado is 2-for-17 (.118) with a home run.

I may have to leave Camden Yards before the last out to catch my flight to Milwaukee. Colleague Steve Melewski would be stuck handling all of the postgame quotes and the All-Star selections. He's a good sport.




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