Baker to choose starting N.L. pitcher

ATLANTA - Cubs manager Dusty Baker will name one of his past or present pitchers as the National League starter for the All-Star Game, and is leaning toward San Francisco&#39;s Jason Schmidt over Atlanta&#39;s Russ Ortiz or Kerry Wood of the Cubs. <br> <br> Baker told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution that those players are his first choices because they are probably the most rested. Baker had Schmidt and Ortiz in his rotation for the Giants last season. <br> <br> Ortiz recorded his league-leading 12th win Wednesday and will have five days rest before the All-Star Game Tuesday at Chicago&#39;s U.S. Cellular Field. <br> <br> Schmidt is scheduled to pitch tonight and will have three days rest before the midsummer classic. Wood had 12 strikeouts in a 129-pitch complete-game victory Wednesday to improve to 9-6 with a 3.19 ERA. <br> <br> While Baker mentioned Wood as a possibility, most in Chicago say the choice will be former Brave Schmidt (8-4, 2.30 ERA) or Ortiz (12-4, 3.51 ERA). <br> <br> Baker told the AJC that starting Schmidt would be &#34;a tremendous honor and reward for him at the same time.&#39;&#39;

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