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San Francisco Giants: Odds for top All-Star candidates after one month

Joel Reuter|
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning at AT&T Park on September 15, 2018 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies 3-0. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
SAN FRANCISCO, CA - SEPTEMBER 15: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants pitches against the Colorado Rockies during the ninth inning at AT&T Park on September 15, 2018 in San Francisco, California. The San Francisco Giants defeated the Colorado Rockies 3-0. (Photo by Jason O. Watson/Getty Images)
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LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 01: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants earns a save pitching in the ninth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)
LOS ANGELES, CA – APRIL 01: Will Smith #13 of the San Francisco Giants earns a save pitching in the ninth inning of the game against the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on April 1, 2019 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Jayne Kamin-Oncea/Getty Images)

RP Will Smith, San Francisco Giants

Stats: 9 G, 6/6 SV, 1.09 ERA, 0.81 WHIP, 9 K, 8.2 IP

The easiest way to fulfill the each team must have at least one representative rule is to simply grab the closer from teams that have not been covered by the fan and player votes.

Even on sub-.500 non-contenders, there is usually at least one quality reliever who would make for a worthwhile addition to the All-Star bullpen.

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To that point, Brad Hand (Padres), Felipe Vazquez (Pirates) and Joe Jimenez (Tigers) were each the lone representatives for their respective team last season.

The Giants enter play on Thursday with the best bullpen ERA in the majors (2.48). What better way to recognize that than with a spot nod to closer Will Smith.

The 29-year-old missed the entire 2017 season recovering from Tommy John surgery. However, he returned strong last season with a 2.55 ERA, 0.81 WHIP and 12.1 K/9 while tallying 14 saves in 54 appearances.

He’s now locked into the closer’s role and has started the season a perfect 6-for-6 on save chances while posting a pristine 1.09 ERA.

The last time a Giants reliever made the All-Star team was Sergio Romo in 2013. He was preceded by guys like Brian Wilson, Rob Nenn and Rod Beck.

And looking ahead to the summer trade market, what better way for the Giants to showcase one of their top trade chips than by having him pitch on the national stage.

Odds: 60 percent

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