MLB
Who are the starting pitchers for the 2024 MLB All-Star Game?
We take a look at the arms that both leagues will be leaning on in the 2024 MLB All Star Game, and what kind of strategy we can expect.
One of the biggest open secrets in baseball was confirmed when Pittsburgh Pirates’ superstar pitcher Paul Skenes was tapped as the starter for the National League in the 2024 All-Star Game. Announced on Friday, this makes Skenes just the fifth rookie pitcher ever to earn this honor.
Arizona Diamondbacks’ manager Torey Lovullo, who’s leading the NL team, pretty much confirmed it Thursday night. He praised Skenes, calling him an “unbelievable addition” and said he’s really sparked a lot of interest since joining the Pirates on May 9.
Some folks were debating whether Skenes should start, considering he’s pitched fewer innings than other contenders. Skenes has 66.1 innings in 11 starts, while guys like Chris Sale, Zack Wheeler, Christopher Sánchez, and Hunter Greene have all surpassed the 100-inning mark. But when it comes to dominance per start, Skenes has been lights out. Just this past Thursday, he had a career-best performance, pitching seven no-hit innings with 11 strikeouts and just one walk against the Brewers.
He’s on a roll, with six straight starts allowing two or fewer runs and racking up at least seven strikeouts. He hasn’t given up more than three runs in any of his starts. With 12.1 strikeouts per nine innings, he’s leading the NL for pitchers with at least 60 innings pitched, and his 1.90 ERA is second only to Atlanta’s Reynaldo López.
American League manager Bruce Bochy has yet to confirm the starter but is widely expected to go with Corbin Burnes or Tyler Anderson.
Both Bochy and for that matter Paul Skenes are minded toward a longer style by a traditional starting pitcher. One the grizzled veteran ex-catcher, the other a dazzling rookie ex-catcher, and they have similar attitudes toward pitching deep into games.
However, this is different. The All-Star game is no longer a strategic game, with the home field advantage now determined by regular season record and as an exhibition, nobody wants to risk an arm on the outcome of this game. Bochy’s bullpen is stacked, as in fact both leagues are, and this will almost certainly lead to a bullpen strategy by both sides.
Here is a look at the full pitching roster available to both leagues.
American League
- Tyler Anderson, LAA
- Corbin Burnes, BAL
- Emmanuel Clase, CLE
- Garrett Crochet, CWS
- Logan Gilbert, SEA
- Clay Holmes, NYY
- Tanner Houck, BOS
- Seth Lugo, KC
- Mason Miller, OAK
- Cole Ragans, KC
- Tarik Skubal, DET
- Kirby Yates, TEX
National League
- Tyler Glasnow, LAD
- Hunter Greene, CIN
- Ryan Helsley, STL
- Jeff Hoffman, PHI
- Shota Imanaga, CHC
- Reynaldo López, ATL
- Chris Sale, ATL
- Tanner Scott, MIA
- Paul Skenes, PIT
- Matt Strahm, PHI
- Ranger Suárez, PHI
- Robert Suarez, SD
- Logan Webb, SF
- Zack Wheeler, PHI
The All-Star Game is all about showcasing the biggest names in baseball to a broad audience, and Skenes’ rising star power fits right in. Since his debut, Skenes has been one of the most talked-about players in the league, rivaling even the likes of Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani.
Depending on how AL manager Bruce Bochy sets up his lineup, we might see Skenes face off against heavy hitters like Judge, Gunnar Henderson, and Juan Soto right in the first inning. Now, that’s something every baseball fan would love to see!