Skubal will start the Midsummer Classic versus Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes
Detroit Tigers starting pitcher Tarik Skubal has been rewarded for his efforts in the first-half of the season by being named the All-Star Game starter for the American League on Saturday.
Skubal will start Tuesday’s All-Star Game opposite Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes, who is making his second consecutive start at the event.
The Tigers’ ace also appeared in last year’s All-Star Game, pitching the second inning after starter Corbin Burnes got the first. Now, in his second All-Star appearance, Skubal will toe the slab first.
The 2024 AL Cy Young Award winner has picked up where he left off last season, pitching to a 10-3 record with a 2.23 ERA, while also ranking 2nd in the AL in strikeouts (153) this season. So far, Skubal has made a very strong case to repeat as the American League’s Cy Young winner. For now, he’ll settle with starting the All-Star Game for the first time in his career.
Per ESPN, Skubal is the first Tiger to start the All-Star Game since Max Scherzer in 2013.
The Tigers currently have Major League Baseball’s best record at 59-37. Skubal’s strong first-half is a good reason as to why, and now he’ll kick off his second-half by headlining the Midsummer Classic.
Category: Baseball