Stats say these players could be All-Stars

It’s less than a month from the All-Star Game, which means it’s time to start ruminating about which players might, should, will or won’t make it to Yankee Stadium for the July 15 game.

That conversation is especially interesting this year since the list of candidates is dotted with players who few would have predicted meriting consideration.

Since the odds are some of these players won’t make it to New York, here’s a little recognition for an unexpected group:

J.D. DREW, RED SOX: After an unimpressive first year in Boston in which he hit .270 with 11 home runs - or one for every $1,309,090 he made last season - Drew has rebounded impressively this season. His .326 batting average through Saturday ranks fifth in the American League, and he already has surpassed his homer total from last season. And his .432 on-base percentage is his best since 2003, when he was sixth in the AL MVP voting.

KYLE LOHSE, CARDINALS: He hasn’t reached double-digit victories since 2003, all while continuing to score raises in every season since then. But this year, Lohse is finally earning his keep. He is 9-2 for the surprising Cardinals, posting an ERA of 3.63. The rest of the results are nothing special, but Lohse is winning by doing what he does best - keeping the ball down and minimizing mistakes, particularly walks. He has issued just one walk every 4 1/3 innings, his best ratio since 2003.

ANDY SONNANSTINE, RAYS: He might not be the most heralded piece of Tampa Bay’s young rotation, but Sonnanstine has been one of the team’s most effective pitchers. He is 8-3 with a 4.92 ERA, ranking second on the Rays in victories.

MIKE MUSSINA, YANKEES: Mussina is enjoying a resurgent 2008 season, already reaching double-digit victories after winning 15 in 2006 and 10 in 2007. In a Yankees rotation with plenty of concerns, not only has Mussina not been a liability at age 39, he has been a strength. His 3.93 ERA is down more than 1.2 runs from last season, and he has walked only 13 batters.

CRISTIAN GUZMAN, NATIONALS: After struggling with injuries and subpar performance his first three seasons with Washington, Guzman has rebounded to be the team’s best hitter and one of the National League’s top offensive performers. He is hitting .310 and ranks first in the National League in hits.

“He’s been our most consistent player,” Nationals manager Manny Acta said. “It’s a very tough spot to crack because of [Miguel] Tejada and [Jose] Reyes and [Jimmy] Rollins and Hanley Ramirez. If [Colorado’s Clint Hurdle] thinks Cristian deserves to be there with how well he’s played, he’ll make that decision.”