Is Edwin Diaz on his way to a first All-Star Game appearance?
-- Jacob S., Ephrata, Wash.
If they selected the All-Star teams in the first week of May, the Mariners closer would certainly be on it. Despite two recent slips in his last three outings, Diaz is tied for the Major League lead in saves and has converted 13-of-14 of his opportunities. He's struck out 31 batters in 18 1/3 innings while allowing just six hits, and there's no question he's one of the rising young relief stars in the game.
Until Mike Trout and Justin Upton got to his slider in the ninth inning Saturday with a double and homer, respectively, in that wild win for the Mariners, opposing hitters had been 0-for-24 with 17 strikeouts in at-bats ending with that pitch.