Paul Skenes of Pittsburgh will be starting his second consecutive All-Star Game for the National League, while Talix Cuvall from Detroit will begin as the American League starter at Truist Park on Tuesday night. Major League Baseball announced these selections on Saturday evening.
Skenes becomes the first pitcher to start back-to-back All-Star Games since Max Scherzer of Washington and Chris Sale of Boston did so in 2017 and 2018, with Sale having won three straight games since 2016. According to MLB Statcast, Skenes and Skubal rank first and second in average four-seam fastball speed this season, with Skenes averaging 98.2 mph and Skubal at 97.6 mph.
Last year in Arlington, Texas, Skenes threw his first scoreless inning while avoiding a walk to Juan Soto, reaching speeds of up to 100.1 mph. Remarkably, he started the game after only 11 major league appearances, the fewest among the All-Stars. Milwaukee’s Jacob Misiorowski, who has made five appearances, was poised to surpass that record when he pitched on Tuesday.
Skubal pitched flawlessly for two innings in his initial All-Star appearance last year, following Baltimore’s Corbin Burnes on the mound. The 23-year-old right-hander Skenes holds a 4-8 record but leads the majors with a 2.01 ERA for the Pirates in the NL Central. He has struck out 131 batters and walked 30 over 131 innings. Meanwhile, Skubal, a 28-year-old lefty and a Young Award recipient, has a 10-3 record with a 2.23 ERA, recording 153 strikeouts and just 16 walks in 121 innings.
Fan Take: This dual pitching talent showcases the rise of a new generation of dominant pitchers in baseball and highlights the strategic importance of power pitching in today’s game. Fans should be excited as these young stars not only bring electric performances but also set new standards for excellence on the mound.
