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Yankees: Predicting which players will make the AL All-Star team

By Mac Josephson

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 30: Luis Severino #40 of the New York Yankees reacts after the last out of the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium on May 30, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - MAY 30: Luis Severino #40 of the New York Yankees reacts after the last out of the seventh inning against the Houston Astros at Yankee Stadium on May 30, 2018 in the Bronx borough of New York City. (Photo by Adam Hunger/Getty Images) /
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NEW YORK, NY – MAY 25: Gary Sanchez #24 and Aroldis Chapman #54 of the New York Yankees celebrate a 2-1 win against the Los Angeles Angels after their game at Yankee Stadium on May 25, 2018 in New York City. (Photo by Al Bello/Getty Images) /

The final member of the Yankees who will represent the team in Washington D.C is closer Aroldis Chapman. Outside of maybe Luis Severino, there isn’t a Yankee more deserving of playing in this year’s Midsummer Classic.

He deserves that honor with how dominant he has been up to this point. This is the best version of Chapman Yankee fans have seen and a lot of it has to do with his much-improved slider. We always knew about his 103-105 mph heater, but the slider has been an added weapon for him that has kept hitters guessing all season.

Chapman is third in the league in saves but you’d be hard-pressed to find a better closer in the game right now. He’s converted 24 of 25 save opportunities and he’s on pace to set a career high in ERA (1.43). He’s also on pace to strikeout over 120 and his opponent batting average of .133 is the best amongst AL closers.

Next: Masahiro Tanaka could be the key to winning the AL East

It’s a sure thing that Chapman will make his first All-Star game as a Yankee (5th overall) and don’t be surprised if he’s on the mound in the ninth inning if the AL team has a lead.

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