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4, maybe 5, Phillies make All-Star team

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For the first time in team history, the Phillies are sending three starting pitchers to the All-Star game in Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee and Cole Hamels. Placido Polanco was voted on to the team as the starting third baseman by the fans, while Shane Victorino is among the candidates for the final spot on the team.

If the Phillies get 5 representatives, it'll tie for the most in team history, which they also did in 1976, 1979, 1981, 1995 and 2009.

Relievers Ryan Madson and Antonio Bastardo did not make the team. Neither did Ryan Howard, who's second in NL in RBIs. It might rankle some, however, that four Giants pitchers _ starters Tim Lincecum, Matt Cain and Ryan Vogelsong and closer Brian Wilson _ made the team. Then again, Giants manager Bruce Bochy is the All-Star manager, so you would figure he'd lean towards his guys.

Some of  that is natural. There are only so many spots available, and Bochy is obviously partial to his guys, just like Phillies manager Charlie Manuel was when he managed the NL All-Stars in 2009 and 2010. The rosters have 33 players, and only about 13 of  those are pitchers. Eight of those pitchers are selected by a players ballot, which is how Wilson made it, and the manager picks the rest.

In addition, every team must have a representative. Basically, half of the NL's pitching staff is comprised of Giants and Phillies.

Halladay made the team for the eighth time in his career (the first six with the Blue Jays), Lee is going for the third time and Hamels and Polanco for the second. The Phillies haven't had 2 pitchers since 1999, when Curt Schilling and Paul Byrd went.

Victorino made the team in 2009 in the vote for the final player.

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In other news, Hamels threw a bullpen session today and afterward, pitching coach Rich Dubee said Hamels will make his start as scheduled on Tuesday.


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