By Michael Rushton
Phanatic Magazine
It came as no surprise that Chase Utley is on the 2007 National League All-Star team. After all, the second baseman was expected to earn the starting gig by capturing the most votes at the position for the second straight year.
Utley has been a guiding and consistent force for the Phillies this year, batting .326 with 15 homers and 66 RBI.
It's also not surprising that ace lefty Cole Hamels was named to the squad. After all, the young gun has made a flawless transition to the Phillies number one pitching spot since Brett Myers moved to the bullpen. Hamels is 9-4 with a solid 3.87 earned run average with 116 strikeouts, second in the NL.
But how about Aaron Rowand, who cracked a talented outfield to earn his first trip to the mid-Summer classic. Rowand is hitting .312 with 11 homers and 42 RBI.
It also comes at a good time for Rowand and the Phillies. The talented center fielder will be a free agent at season's end, and could be dealt by the trade deadline for either pitching help or for future parts should Philadelphia begin to slide out of the playoff race.
Not going to San Francisco, the site of this year's game, is reigning NL MVP Ryan Howard. It is possible Howard could defend his Home Run Derby title this year, however.
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