Dodgers’ Matt Kemp, Clayton Kershaw tapped for All-Star Game

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Dodgers centerfielder Matt Kemp was voted a starting outfielder for the National League in this year’s All-Star Game on July 12 in Phoenix, and Dodgers left-hander Clayton Kershaw was named to the NL’s pitching staff.

Both are All-Stars for the first time.

Kemp, 26, is having a blockbuster season to date with a .327 batting average, 22 home runs and 64 runs batted in. He’s also stolen 22 bases.

The 23-year-old Kershaw, despite losing Saturday night to the Angels, is 8-4 this season with a 3.23 earned-run average and his 138 strikeouts lead the league.

After giving up seven runs in six innings in the Angels’ 7-1 win over the Dodgers at Angel Stadium, Kershaw talked about the prospect of being on the All-Star team.

‘Who knows, keep your fingers crossed and see what happens,’ he said.

Asked if he would wake up early enough to hear the selections, which were announced at 9 a.m. PDT on Sunday, Kershaw replied with a grin, ‘No shot.’

One Dodger who did not make the team was right-fielder Andre Ethier, who had a 30-game hitting streak earlier this season. Ethier, an All-Star in 2010, this season is batting .322 with seven home runs and 41 runs batted in.

[Updated at 10:50 a.m.: Ethier could still make the team because he’s among five nominees that fans can vote for to claim the final spot on the NL roster. Voting lasts until 1 p.m. PDT on Thursday.]

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-- Jim Peltz