The two starting pitchers for the MLB All-Star Game have been announced. The Pittsburgh Pirates' young right-hander, Paul Skenes, and the Detroit Tigers' ace, Tarik Skubal, will start on the mound for their respective teams.
Skenes, who is currently the favorite for the NL Cy Young award, will make his second straight start for the NL squad in the All-Star game. The Pirates' ace has been stellar to start the season. He has pitched 121 innings, with 131 strikeouts, and only 82 hits. The 2023 first overall pick has also not allowed a first-inning run this season.
This will be Skenes' second All-Star appearance. In the 2024 MLB All-Star Game, Skenes pitched one inning, allowing zero hits and one walk. The 23-year-old will look to dominate a few American League batters as he starts the game in Atlanta, Georgia.
With the Philadelphia Phillies' stud Zack Wheeler withdrawing from the All-Star game, the decision for the NL squad to start Skenes was a no-brainer.
The Pirates also announced that the Fullerton, California, native made history in last night's start against the Minnesota Twins. Skenes got his 300th strikeout in his 43rd career start, becoming the first Pirates pitcher to accomplish this feat, and one of only 17 MLB pitchers to do this all time.
The Pirates will conclude their weekend series against the Twins and aim to avoid a sweep on Sunday afternoon.