Scioscia lobbies for Richards: 'Garrett is an All-Star in our mind'

Published Jul. 7, 2014 8:50 p.m. ET

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ANAHEIM, Calif. -- The Angels have begun their campaign push to put pitcher Garrett Richards in next week's All-Star Game at Target Field in Minneapolis.

One advocate in his corner is his manager, Mike Scioscia.

"Garrett is an All-Star in our mind, but sometimes you just don't get that nod because of circumstances that you can't control," Scioscia said Monday before the Angels faced the Toronto Blue Jays at Angel Stadium (starting at 6:30 p.m. on FOX Sports West). "Hopefully we'll get Garrett in there."

Fans who cast votes for Richards on Angels.com using their mobile device or via text message will be entered for a chance to win four tickets to a game at Angel Stadium, plus watch batting practice and meet Richards.

The right-hander has a 10-2 record and 2.71 ERA but has been overpowering in his past seven starts: 6-0, a 1.45 ERA and a .158 opponents batting average. He is one of five starting pitchers in major league baseball with 10 wins and an ERA below 3.00.

Richards must beat out four other pitching candidates for the final AL roster spot: Dallas Keuchel of the Houston Astros, Corey Kluber of the Cleveland Indians, Rick Porcello of the Detroit Tigers and Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox.

"There are always more guys that are slighted than are picked at any position, and right now you're looking at a situation where there's number of pitchers are having a good year," Scioscia said. "Garrett is one of them that hasn't made the first cut.

"Hopefully, our fans will respond to reward a guy who's definitely deserving to be there."

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