Chris Archer is headed to the All-Star Game

Rays ace Chris Archer, the most marketable and eloquent player on the roster, is headed to the All-Star game.

Archer was not voted in on the initial player ballot, but will head to the All-Star festivities as a late selection by MLB for an open roster slot:

“Other replacements” could include Rays 1B Logan Morrison, who was on the short list for the “Final Vote” selection (which went to Royals 3B Mike Moustakas), should adjustments need made before next week.

As for now, the Rays will be sending Archer along side DH Corey Dickerson, who won the fan vote to become a starter on the American League roster, and manager Kevin Cash, who will be assisting the Indians managing staff that will be without Terry Francona, who was sidelined with a heart condition this week.

More from Marc Topkin on the selection of Archer:

MLB will announce a series of adjustments to the rosters later this afternoon. An interesting twist is that Archer is starting Sunday for the Rays, and most pitchers who work on Sunday are not available for the Tuesday game. But since Archer is being added to the roster, the assumption is that he told MLB he will be available.

[tampabay.com]

Chris Archer currently has a 3.95 ERA, seven wins, and five losses on the season, but a further look at the numbers reveal an All-Star season in the making:

Archer has the 4th lowest FIP (3.03), 3rd highest K/9 (10.75), and third highest overall strikeout rate (28.6%) in the American League. Best of all, his 3.2 WAR is 2nd only to Chris Sale in the American League.

Chris Archer was previously an All-Star in the 2015 season. He starts for the Rays on Sunday, ahead of the All-Star Game on Tuesday, but will be available to pitch as that is reportedly his normal bullpen day between starts.