In a highly anticipated matchup, the Baltimore Orioles’ Corbin Burnes will take the mound as the starting pitcher for the American League in Tuesday night’s All-Star Game. The 29-year-old right-hander, who boasts a 9-4 record with a 2.93 ERA in his debut season with the Orioles, will face off against Pittsburgh Pirates rookie Paul Skenes at Globe Life Field. Burnes, a 2021 NL Cy Young Award winner, was acquired by the Orioles from the Milwaukee Brewers just before spring training and has continued to demonstrate his dominance, earning him his fourth consecutive All-Star selection.
Burnes’ selection as the starter marks a significant milestone for the Orioles, as he becomes the fifth pitcher in the franchise’s history to start an All-Star Game and the first since Steve Stone in 1980. The news was delivered to Burnes by Hall of Fame pitcher Pedro Martinez, who called to inform him that AL manager Bruce Bochy of the World Series champion Texas Rangers had chosen him to start the midsummer showcase.
On the other side, 21-year-old rookie Paul Skenes has made an impressive start to his major league career, boasting a 6-0 record with a 1.90 ERA in just 11 starts. Skenes, who made his debut on May 11, has struck out 89 batters while walking only 13 in 66⅓ innings. His 11 starts are the fewest for any All-Star starter, and he joins an elite group of rookie starters that includes Dave Stenhouse (1962), Mark Fidrych (1976), Fernando Valenzuela (1981), and Hideo Nomo (1995). NL manager Torey Lovullo announced last week that Skenes would be the starting pitcher for the National League.
The American League’s batting order, as revealed by Bochy, will feature Steven Kwan of the Cleveland Guardians leading off and playing left field, followed by Baltimore shortstop Gunnar Henderson. New York Yankees right fielder Juan Soto and center fielder Aaron Judge will bat third and fourth, respectively. Houston Astros designated hitter Yordan Alvarez will bat fifth, Guardians third baseman Jose Ramirez sixth, Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. seventh, Orioles catcher Adley Rutschman eighth, and Rangers second baseman Marcus Semien ninth.
The National League lineup, as set by Lovullo, will see Ketel Marte of the Arizona Diamondbacks leading off and playing second base. Los Angeles Dodgers designated hitter Shohei Ohtani will bat second, followed by Philadelphia Phillies shortstop Trea Turner and first baseman Bryce Harper. Milwaukee catcher William Contreras will hit fifth, with Brewers right fielder Christian Yelich batting sixth. Phillies third baseman Alec Bohm, Dodgers center fielder Teoscar Hernandez, and San Diego Padres left fielder Jurickson Profar will round out the lineup.
This All-Star Game promises to be a thrilling showcase of talent, with both starting pitchers and lineups featuring some of the most exciting players in baseball today.
