By: Matthew Shinkle, Staff Writer 
Philadelphia Phillies closer Jeanmar Gomez was left off the 2016 National League All-Star Game Roster, with Odubel Herrera being selected as the sole representative of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Gomez is having a career year in the bullpen for the Phillies. After coming into the season with only one career save in the MLB, he has successfully wrapped up 22 games so far this year in 24 opportunities while also boasting a 2.75 ERA and 1.14 WHIP. Earlier in the season, Gomez led all of baseball in saves, however after a rough stretch for the Phillies, Gomez quickly relinquished that title.
National League Closers that did make it to the All-Star game include Kenley Jensen of the Los Angeles Dodgers, Mark Melancon of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Jeurys Familia of the New York Mets, and both Fernando Rodney and A.J. Ramos of the Miami Marlins. All are ahead of Gomez in saves in the National League, except for Rodney, however his biggest appeal to the roster is his 0.85 ERA and 0.92 WHIP.
Gomez has helped solve, for the time being, the Phillies closer role. Going into the year, the Phillies had not considered Gomez as an option to close out games, however he's taken full advantage of the chances given to him and has transformed his career in half a season. While Gomez has performed well for the Phillies, the team's recent struggles narrowed the gap for him to both record saves and also pitch in ball games, which may have cost him a chance to pitch in his first All-Star Game.
