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Kris Bryant, Bryce Harper named MLB All-Star Game starters

There will be plenty of local star power when the MLB All-Star Game hits San Diego next week.

Las Vegans Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals and Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs were both selected as starters for the National League team on Tuesday. Bryant is a first-time starter, a year after earning his first appearance as an injury replacement. Harper earned his fourth All-Star selection.

The Cubs led the way with seven players being named to the National League roster. The Cubs are: Anthony Rizzo (first base), Ben Zobrist (second base), Addison Russell (shortstop), Bryant (third base), Dexter Fowler (outfield) as well as pitchers Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester. The full Cubs infield — Rizzo, Zobrist, Russell and Bryant — are starters. Fowler, who is on the disabled list, is also listed as a starter.

The last time an NL starting infield was comprised of players from the same team was the 1963 St. Louis Cardinals.

“Last year it was just me and Anthony (Rizzo), to have this many people is just going to make the experience much more memorable for us,” said Bryant, 24, who graduated from Bonanza High.

The game being in San Diego will give it extra meaning for Bryant, who played at the University of San Diego.

“It should be a little more special, though, just because it’s in San Diego and obviously I went to college there for three years,” Bryant said. “And it’s a special place for me, so I’m excited to get there and have a bunch of family there and see some familiar faces and have a good time.”

Along with Harper, the Nationals will send four players to the midsummer classic, tied for the most in the D.C. history of the franchise.

Harper, who played at Las Vegas High and the College of Southern Nevada, was voted in as a starter for the third time in his career. Wilson Ramos and Daniel Murphy were chosen as reserves. Stephen Strasburg is the only Nationals pitcher to make the team, chosen to a loaded NL pitching staff, a statistically deserving and sentimentally appealing choice given the game will be played in his home town of San Diego.

Harper’s 17 home runs are tied for the eighth most in baseball; his on-base percentage is .404, tied for seventh best in the majors; and he leads the majors in walks with 66 entering Tuesday night.

“It’s awesome. Just want to thank the fans for sure. All across the country, and definitely all the Nats fans for getting me in there,” said Harper, the 23-year-old reigning NL MVP. “I think it’s gonna be a lot of fun. Just gonna enjoy it with the family and just really enjoy those couple days.”

Boston has six American League All-Stars and four starters that includes David Oritz, who plans on retiring at the end of the season. Jackie Bradley Jr., Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts are the other Red Sox starters.

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