Dodgers' manager Dave Roberts selected Oliver Marmol -- manager of the surprising Cardinals -- to be a coach for the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia on July 14.
Time will eventually tell which players off the surprising Cardinals make it to the MLB All-Star Game, but this much is for sure already: Manager Oliver Marmol will be getting the first All-Star nod of his MLB career.
Marmol, who has guided the Cardinals to a promising 34-28 start to the season, will be a part of the National League coaching staff for the MLB All-Star Game in Philadelphia on July 14. Marmol was asked to work the All-Star Game by Dodgers’ manager Dave Roberts, who extended the invitation when L.A. lost two of three in St. Louis from May 1-3.
Marmol’s appointment to the NL staff was first reported by USA TODAY’s Bob Nightengale.
“It means a lot, if I’m being honest, to get the invite from someone like Dave, who has accomplished so much in this game,” Marmol said. “I was able to have that conversation with him when they were here playing us at home, and me and my family are excited about it.
Despite trading away Nolan Arenado, Sonny Gray, Willson Contreras and Brendan Donovan over the winter and signaling a major rebuilding process, the Cardinals have been one of baseball’s best feel-good stories thus far this season, Already, the Cards have series against the Dodgers, Astros, Cubs, Athletics, Rays, Mets, Nats and Guardians. They already have 16 road wins and are an impressive 18-16 against teams with winning records.
Which Cards will join Marmol at MLB All-Star Game?
That kind of play could help the Cardinals be well-represented at the MLB All-Star Game. Jordan Walker and Alec Burleson – who teamed up for the club’s first run on Sunday with back-to-back doubles – should have strong All-Star cases with the work they have done from the middle of the lineup, while starter Michael McGreevy and closer Riley O’Brien have been leaders on the pitching staff.
Walker has made a strong case for MLB’s Comeback Player of the Year trophy by shedding his struggles from the previous three seasons and slashing .305/.365//.565/.930 with 16 homers, 14 doubles and 47 RBI. Burleson, who won a Silver Slugger award in 2025, has slashed .293/.362/.460/.822 with 16 doubles, eight homers and 43 RBI as a full-time first baseman.
McGreevy, who has been a victim of a lack of run support of late, has posted a 3.03 ERA and a .227 batting average against in 13 starts. Meanwhile, O’Brien has converted 16 of 20 save chances in his first full season as a closer.
Marmol, who signed a three-year contract extension prior to the start of the season, is in his fifth season as the Cardinals manager. He led the Cardinals to the playoffs in 2022, and he led the club to a winning record in 2024. His 2025 job might be his best yet, and he’ll be rewarded with a trip to the MLB’s Midsummer Classic
“This will be a really cool opportunity for a lot of reasons and I’m excited about it,” Marmol said.
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