In the realm of Major League Baseball, the honor of being named the starting pitcher for the All-Star Game is more than a mere accolade; it is a testament to a pitcher's dominance and reliability on the mound. Historically, only a few have had the privilege of starting multiple All-Star Games, with legends like Don Drysdale, Lefty Gomez, and Robin Roberts each having started five times. Jim Palmer, Max Scherzer, and Randy Johnson hold the distinction of starting four times. These names signify greatness and have set a high bar for aspiring pitchers.
The 2024 MLB All-Star Game promises to be a grand affair as it will be hosted by the current champions, the Texas Rangers, at Globe Life Field. Excitement is building, especially regarding the pool of talent set to take the mound.
American League Stars
On the American League side, the starting pitchers will include Tyler Anderson, Corbin Burnes, Garrett Crochet, Logan Gilbert, Tanner Houck, Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, and Tarik Skubal. Among this roster, Seth Lugo stands out not only for his statistics but also for his journey. "He was mostly a reliever for his last five years with the Mets before going to full-time starting duties with the Padres last season. The Royals signed him to a two-year deal last offseason and he's pitched like an ace all year, posting a career year at age 34. That's all kinds of fun," as a commentator noted.
Lugo leads the league in wins, ERA, and WAR and has pitched the most innings, showcasing a durability and effectiveness that few can match. He epitomizes the transformation of a player from a reliable reliever to a formidable starter, one who can dominate hitters throughout a season.
The other names on the list have their own accolades, with Crochet, Ragans, and Skubal leading the strikeout charts, asserting their presence as dominant strikeout artists. Corbin Burnes, a former Cy Young winner, brings his own legacy and consistency to the fore.
National League Aces
Meanwhile, the National League features a mix of experienced hands and rising stars, including Tyler Glasnow, Shota Imanaga, Reynaldo López, Chris Sale, Paul Skenes, Ranger Suárez, Logan Webb, and Zack Wheeler. Logan Webb stands out with his innings pitched and ranks seventh in ERA, contributing significantly to his team's efforts.
In the National League ERA leaderboard, Sánchez tops the standings, followed closely by Chris Sale, who not only holds second place in ERA but also leads in wins and WHIP and ranks third in strikeouts. Sale's resurgence as a top-tier pitcher has not gone unnoticed, and his ability to impact games from the mound remains as strong as ever.
Tyler Glasnow has been exceptional, especially in racking up strikeouts, while Paul Skenes emerges as a revelation. "Think about Skenes facing Altuve, Soto, and Judge and tell me you'd rather someone else start. C'mon. This is dream-type stuff," another observer enthused.
Skenes made history by becoming the first pitcher taken No. 1 overall to make the All-Star team in the following season. His journey under the Pirates' management has been closely watched, starting this season in Triple-A but quickly proving his mettle. In just 10 starts, Skenes boasts a 5-0 record with a 2.12 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 78 strikeouts against 12 walks over 59 1/3 innings. Although he doesn’t qualify for the ERA title due to his limited workload, his impact is undeniable.
"We don't yet know the lineups, but even if Skenes only pitches one inning, he's liable to face something like Jose Altuve, Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge, with Yordan Alvarez looming should anyone reach base," one analyst noted. This potential matchup underscores the excitement and unpredictability that the All-Star Game consistently delivers.
As both leagues prepare for the showcase event, the anticipation centers not only on the competition but also on the celebration of pitching excellence. Each selected pitcher embodies the skills, dedication, and hard work that define elite performance in baseball. The narrative of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, held under the Texas sky at Globe Life Field, is rich with stories of past legacies and emerging greatness. These pitchers, with their individual achievements and collective talent, are set to etch another memorable chapter in the annals of baseball history.