Starting Pitchers for All Star Game

Starting Pitchers for All Star Game

10 July, 2023

At the MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, New York Yankees ace Gerrit Cole will take the mound for the American League against Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Zac Gallen. Dusty Baker, the manager of the AL’s Astros, and Rob Thomson, the manager of the NL’s Phillies, each made their decisions on Monday.

Cole, a six-time All-Star, is making his first career start in the Midsummer Classic. Since Roger Clemens in 2001, he becomes the first pitcher from the Yankees to start the All-Star Game.

The 32-year-old right-hander has thrown 117 innings this season with a 2.85 ERA (148 ERA+), a 3.62 K/BB ratio, and 123 strikeouts. His current WAR of 3.8 is also the most among AL pitchers. After a season in 2022 that was, at least by his high standards, a little disappointing for Cole, he receives the honor.

Shohei Ohtani, a two-way ace for the Angels, had been in contention to start on the mound for the All-Star Game for the second time in his career, but recent fingernail and blister troubles have limited him to the DH position.

Regarding Gallen, the right-hander, who is 27 years old, he will start his first-ever All-Star game. He has pitched 118 1/3 innings this season with a 3.04 ERA (140 ERA+), 125 strikeouts, and 23 unintentional walks. He is now playing in his fifth MLB season and is coming off a season in which he was selected for the NL Cy Young Award and placed fifth. Since Curt Schilling in 2002, Gallen will be the first D-Back to start the All-Star Game.

The AL enters the matchup having won nine consecutive All-Star Games and holding a 47-43-2 advantage in the overall series over the NL.