Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal named as American League starter for 2025 All-Star Game
MLB announced on Saturday night after the Tigers lost to the Mariners, 15-7, that Skubal, the reigning Cy Young winner, will start the All-Star Game for the American League.
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Last year, Skubal was debatably snubbed from the starting nod in the All-Star Game, when Texas Rangers manager Bruce Bochy selected then-Baltimore Orioles ace Corbin Burnes to make the start before giving the ball over to Skubal for the second inning.
Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers pitches in the second inning during the 94th MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard at Globe Life Field on July 16, 2024 in Arlington, Texas.
Skubal is building on last season's impressive campaign with one that might he even better. He leads all MLB pitchers in FanGraphs' version of WAR (4.7) by a wide margin, with Boston's Garrett Crochet next closest at 3.8. While he didn't have his best stuff in a loss to the Mariners on Friday, July 11, his most recent start, the big-picture sample size is impossible to ignore.
SATURDAY'S GAME: Detroit Tigers give up 19 hits in 15-7 blowout loss to Seattle Mariners
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Skubal has a 10-3 record, a 2.23 ERA and has racked up 153 strikeouts in 19 starts. He leads MLB in WHIP (walks plus hits per inning pitched) at 0.83, which is perhaps the best statistical indicator of his dominance in both making batters miss and also peppering the zone.
Yankees manager Aaron Boone was in charge of making the call this year, and while there was certainly more than enough merit for Skubal to start, you can't blame him if he didn't want to poke the metaphorical bear in Skubal before a potential playoff matchup this postseason.
Pirates pitching sensation Paul Skenes will make the start for the National League for the second straight year as the 2025 MLB All-Star Game takes place in Atlanta on Tuesday, July 15, with first pitch scheduled for 8 p.m. ET.
Skubal being named as the All-Star Game starter is just another reason for Tigers fans to tune into the Midsummer Classic. The Tigers now have four starters as Skubal officially joins second baseman Gleyber Torres, outfielder Riley Greene, outfielder Javier Báez in the group of players who will take the first first. In addition, utility player Zach McKinstry and starting pitcher Casey Mize were added as injury replacements, so in total, the Tigers have six All-Star representatives and four starters.
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It'll be the first time the Tigers will be sending at least four players to the All-Star Game since 2015, when Miguel Cabrera (1B), José Iglesias (SS), J.D. Martinez (OF) and David Price all were picked for the MLB All-Star Game in Cincinnati.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal named as AL starter for All-Star Game
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