Giants first baseman Brandon Belt is in his first MLB All-Star Game in his sixth big league season after winning the Final Vote by the fans. Belt is being accompanied by teammates Buster Posey, Madison Bumgarner, and Johnny Cueto.
As the Giants sport the best record in baseball (57-33) at the All-Star break, Belt sent praise to San Francisco's All-Star arms Monday in San Diego.
"There would be a lot of arguments over this, but in my opinion it's the best in baseball," Belt said on the duo of Bumgarner and Cueto.
Stay in the game with the latest updates on your beloved Bay Area and California sports teams! Sign up here for our All Access Daily newsletter.
With Bumgarner ineligible to pitch, Cueto received the nod to start on the bump for the National League in the Midsummer Classic. The two are a combined 23-5 in 37 games started for an ERA of 2.21.
They have also combined for seven complete games and struck out 261 batters in 261 innings pitched.
"When we go out there, we have -- not that we don't have it with other guys on the staff, but it's just like, almost a given that we're gonna win that ballgame.
"And obviously we don't win every single one, but when you have that confidence going out there, it helps you relax a little bit," said Belt.
San Francisco Giants
If the Giants score early in the game, Belt feels they are a shoo-in to win with Bumgarner or Cueto starting on the hill.
"Hopefully you can score those first few runs and let them relax and do their thing."
The Giants are a combined 29-8 this season when either Bumgarner or Cueto are the team's starting pitcher.