MLB All-Star Game: American League Manager Irks Fans With Starting Pitcher Selection

Set to serve as the manager of the American League All-Star Team on Tuesday night, Texas Rangers skipper Bruce Bochy had a major decision to make on the eve of the 2024 MLB All-Star Game.

Would it be Tarik Skubal, the Detroit Tigers ace and lefty flamethrower, or 2021 NL Cy Young winner and Orioles pitcher Corbin Burnes taking the mound first for the AL?

On Monday, Bochy made his selection.

Burnes will be the American League's starter for the All-Star Game on Tuesday.

"It's official: Corbin Burnes — not Tarik Skubal — is starting the 2024 All-Star Game for the American League, selected by AL manager Bruce Bochy," Tigers reporter Evan Petzold reported on X.

Skubal and Burnes have been the AL's two most dominant pitchers in 2024, however, many in the baseball world seem to believe Detroit's ace deserved the start over Burnes.

While both recorded similar numbers through 19 starts this season, MLB fans seem to think Skubal deserved the nod.

"I love the Orioles more than most but how the h--- is Burnes getting the start over Skubal," one fan said.

Skubal, 27, leads all American League pitchers with an impressive 2.41 ERA through 19 starts in 2024. Burnes, 29, currently ranks second in the AL with a 2.43 ERA.

ERA isn't the only metric that Skubal has the advantage over Burnes, either. Detroit's hard-throwing lefty has recorded more strikeouts, less walks and currently holds a significant lead in WAR (4.5 vs. 2.9).

The 2024 MLB All-Star game will get underway Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. ET.

Related: Pedro Martinez Issues Lofty Challenge to AL's Corbin Burnes Before 2024 MLB All-Star Game