Cutch, Hanny Only Pirate All Stars

Pittsburgh went into the All-Star process with four guys having strong shots at making the team: Andrew McCutchen (.346/15/51), James McDonald (7-3, 2.44), AJ Burnett (9-2, 3.31) and Joel Hanrahan (3-0-22, 2.10). Jason Grilli (1-2-1, 2.05) has pitched to All-Star norms, but set-up men selected are few and far between, though Evan Meek made it in 2010 as the Pirates only rep.

We knew from the fan vote tabs that Cutch wasn't going to get a starting nod; heck, he only made it as a replacement player last year. But he did make it this time around as a player's pick without the drama. McCutch was seventh in fan voting, and with Matt Kemp injured, he has an outside shot at starting (maybe; GW isn't sure about the AS rules regarding that.) Joel Hanrahan also made the cut for his second straight appearance.

Hard to believe, but J-Mick didn't make the squad, nor less surprisingly did AJ, who was a longer shot. Maybe the fact that McDonald is starting Saturday and Burnett Sunday had something to do with it, but geez.

James' 2.44 ERA ranks ninth in the majors, his 0.98 WHIP is tied for fifth, and he's given up more than three runs just once all season - and that was only four. AJ has nine wins, tied for sixth in the NL, but his ERA is a bit battered from that one bad outing in St. Louis. It's been a while since he's been in the NL, too, so the familiarity factor wasn't there for him.

If you're wondering, the NL pitchers are Matt Cain, Lance Lynn, Craig Kimbrel, Huston Street, Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg, Aroldis Chapman, Clayton Kershaw, Jonathan Papelbon, Hanny, Wade Miley, RA Dickey, and Cole Hamels. The selections are heavy on relievers this year, and that hurt J-Mick too, though it was an edge for Hanny.

But guys get left by the wayside every year; we're sure that every other MLB city is moaning because one or more of their hometown heroes was passed up. And there always is the replacement process. That's how Kevin Correia and his 11 wins made the squad in 2011 and was the road the Bucs used to get their count up from one original selection to three on the game roster last season.

Here's a list of the complete rosters, from The Sporting News.