Yankees’ Dellin Betances believes Chad Green was bigger All-Star Game snub
Chad Green #57 of the New York Yankees reacts after an eighth inning ending double play against the Boston Red Sox at Yankee Stadium on Tuesday, May 8, 2018. Credit: Jim McIsaac
BALTIMORE — Dellin Betances says he didn’t feel as if he got snubbed in not getting a fifth straight All-Star Game bid.
“There’s a lot of deserving guys who don’t make it,” the righthander said Monday afternoon before the Yankees-Orioles doubleheader at Camden Yards.
Betances, however, did take up the cause for one of his teammates.
“Chad Green,” he said. “For him not to be there is pretty crazy.”
Both relievers certainly had legitimate claims to join teammates Aaron Judge, Luis Severino, Aroldis Chapman and Gleyber Torres as All-Stars (Giancarlo Stanton is in the AL Final Vote competition).
After a rough start, Betances has recaptured the form that allowed him to make the previous four All-Star Games. He entered Monday with a 2.56 ERA in 37 games, including a 0.00 ERA in his last 18 outings. In that span, he struck out 30 in 17 2⁄3 innings and hitters went 3-for-53 (.057) against him.
After a breakout 2017, Green has been nearly as good this season. He entered Monday with a 1.91 ERA in 34 games and 54 strikeouts in 42 1⁄3 innings. He had not allowed a run in his last 16 1⁄3 innings.
“He’s having an unbelievable year,” Betances said. “Again.”
One of the two, of course, still could get a bid, depending on if any of the selected relievers bow out.
“I can’t control some of those things,” Betances said. “Obviously, it’s fun going to these All-Star Games, so if that happens I’d be thrilled, but it’s not in my hands.”
Betances, who had a 5.79 ERA as recently as May 6, said even in those tough early-season times, he felt as good about his stuff as he ever had since being converted to a reliever. The results eventually followed.
“This is the best I’ve felt,” he said. “I feel like I’ve had to adapt to the hitters. Obviously, over the years, they kind of get to know you, and I feel like I’ve had to emphasize more on mixing my pitches a little better. I feel like I was becoming a little predictable at times. But this is the best I’ve felt. I’ve had better numbers going into the All-Star break, but this is the best I’ve felt throwing the ball.”
