In the world of Major League Baseball (MLB), the honor of starting an All-Star Game is a recognition of a pitcher's dominance and skill. This year, the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, hosted by the defending champions Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field, promises to showcase some of the best arms in the game today.
Historic Legacy
The history of pitching greatness in the All-Star Game is long and storied. Don Drysdale, Lefty Gomez, and Robin Roberts each earned the starting nod five times, while Jim Palmer, Max Scherzer, and Randy Johnson were named starters four times. This legacy continues with a new generation of pitching talent making their mark in 2024.
American League Starters
The American League's starting roster is packed with formidable talent. Tyler Anderson, Corbin Burnes, Garrett Crochet, Logan Gilbert, Tanner Houck, Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans, and Tarik Skubal will all be prepared to take the mound. Among them, Logan Gilbert is scheduled to start next Sunday.
Seth Lugo has been nothing short of spectacular this season. Despite spending the last five years as mostly a reliever with the Mets, Lugo transitioned to full-time starting duties with the Padres last season. The Royals recognized his potential and signed him to a two-year deal last offseason. "He's pitched like an ace all year, posting a career year at age 34. That's all kinds of fun," one commentator noted. Lugo leads the league in wins, ERA, and WAR, and has pitched the most innings, a testament to his endurance and skill. Meanwhile, Crochet, Ragans, and Skubal are topping the strikeout leaderboards, striking fear into the hearts of opposing batters. Corbin Burnes, a former Cy Young winner, adds further strength to this formidable lineup.
National League Contenders
The National League's starting pitchers include Tyler Glasnow, Shota Imanaga, Reynaldo López, Chris Sale, Paul Skenes, Ranger Suárez, Logan Webb, and Zack Wheeler. Logan Webb leads in innings pitched and ranks seventh in ERA, providing a reliable arm for the National League.
Chris Sale is another standout, ranking second in ERA, leading in wins and WHIP, and placing third in strikeouts. Tyler Glasnow, who tops the strikeout charts, adds another layer of resilience to the lineup. Notably, Paul Skenes has achieved a historic milestone as the first pitcher ever taken No. 1 overall to make the All-Star team the following season. Skenes began the season in Triple-A under the Pirates’ cautious management but has proven his worth in the big leagues. With a 5-0 record, a 2.12 ERA, 1.01 WHIP, and 78 strikeouts against just 12 walks over 59 1/3 innings in 10 starts, Skenes has turned heads despite not qualifying for the ERA title due to workload.
The excitement surrounding Skenes' presence in the All-Star Game is palpable. "Think about Skenes facing Altuve, Soto, and Judge and tell me you'd rather someone else start. C'mon. This is dream-type stuff," one enthusiast remarked. The possibility of Skenes facing a lineup that includes the likes of Jose Altuve, Juan Soto, and Aaron Judge, with Yordan Alvarez lurking in the on-deck circle, adds to the allure of this year's game. "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," added another commentator.
Anticipation Builds
As the 2024 MLB All-Star Game approaches, the anticipation continues to build. The starting pitchers on both sides are set to deliver performances that could etch their names alongside legends like Drysdale, Gomez, and Roberts. With Globe Life Field as the backdrop, fans can expect a showcase of pitching prowess that epitomizes the excellence and competitive spirit of Major League Baseball.