Phillies updated top five 2018 All-Star Game candidates

PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 11: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Rhys Hoskins #17 after hitting a home run against the New York Mets during the first inning of a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on May 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
PHILADELPHIA, PA - MAY 11: Odubel Herrera #37 of the Philadelphia Phillies is congratulated by Rhys Hoskins #17 after hitting a home run against the New York Mets during the first inning of a game against the New York Mets at Citizens Bank Park on May 11, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Rich Schultz/Getty Images)
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – JUNE 20: Starting pitcher Jake Arrieta #49 of the Philadelphia Phillies throws a pitch in the sixth inning during a game against the St. Louis Cardinals at Citizens Bank Park on June 20, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Phillies won 4-3. (Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images)

Jake Arrieta

Jake Arrieta was easily the Phillies’ biggest signing since Cliff Lee after the 2010 season. He brought the star power and postseason experience the team has been lacking for a few years now. He has outperformed expectations and may now be on the way to his second career All-Star Game.

Arrieta got a late start to the year after missing half of spring training, but that hasn’t stopped him at all. In 14 starts, he has a 3.42 ERA, 1.228 WHIP, and 3.97 fielding-independent pitching. Arrieta has turned himself into a ground-ball pitcher, ranking third in MLB with a 55.6 percent ground-ball rate.

Arrieta started off the month of June rough, but he bounced back this week with a six-inning, three-run performance against the Cardinals. He will still get four more starts before the All-Star Game and could climb into the conversation for a spot on the roster.

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