Josiah Gray will represent the Nationals at the All-Star Game – The Washington Post

PHILADELPHIA — When Josiah Gray called his mother Sunday, his eyes were red and his cheeks slick, seeing that he had been crying in the visiting clubhouse at Citizens Bank Park. Why? Because after Manager Dave Martinez called a pregame meeting, he told his team that Gray was the Washington Nationals’ lone all-star, an announcement that surprised the 25-year-old right-hander before it broke him down.With one start left before the all-star break, Gray has a 3.30 ERA in 95⅓ innings, more than a full run better than his 4.40 ERA through 17 starts in 2022. By the end of last season, he had allowed more home runs (38) and walks (66) than any other pitcher in the National League. This year, he has limited homers and made walks less painful. He has worked three new pitches — a cutter, a sinker and a sweeping slider — into an arsenal that used to revolve around his fastball and two breaking balls, making him far too predictable. His first all-star selection, coming in his second full season, is a nod to that progress.“It shows me I can battle, I can fight back,” said Gray, who was acquired by the Nationals in the
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