Diamondbacks manager confirms how long Paul Skenes will pitch at All-Star Game

Pittsburgh Pirates ace Paul Skenes will get the call to start Tuesday's MLB All-Star Game, but as is tradition at the Midsummer Classic, his appearance won't last very long.

Arizona Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo told reporters on Monday that the rookie "most likely" won't pitch past the first inning.

Per Baseball Reference, no pitcher has worked more than one inning to start an All-Star Game in the last four contests (there was no game in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic).

The last hurler to start and go more than one frame was Max Scherzer, who allowed one run on two hits with one walk and four strikeouts over two innings during the 2018 All-Star Game.

The annual battle between the senior and junior circuits is loaded with the best talent in the sport, so managers typically don't have to worry about their team's chance of winning dropping when they go to the bullpen. Also contributing to the starter's typical short outing is the fact that the contest is only an exhibition game.

Even when the All-Star Game took on greater meaning from 2003-16 and home-field advantage for that year's World Series would be decided based on which league won the game, there was still clearly not as much importance on the victor.

With the World Series host now being decided by which pennant-clinching club had the higher regular-season winning percentage, the yearly July showcase has lost even more of its luster.

What should boost viewership for Tuesday's game, however, at least in the bottom of the first inning, is Skenes getting the opening nod.

The flamethrowing righty will be the first rookie to start an All-Star Game since 1995 and just the fifth first-year arm to accomplish the feat in MLB history.

Skenes is arguably the best strikeout pitcher in the sport already but will have a matchup with Cleveland Guardians outfielder Steven Kwan to begin the bottom of the first on Tuesday. Kwan is one of the toughest players to punch out in baseball, leading MLB in batting average (.352) and striking out just 25 times in 2024 thus far.

Skenes will then face Baltimore Orioles superstar infielder Gunnar Henderson and New York Yankees MVP candidate Juan Soto. If anyone reaches, Skenes could face Yankees slugger Aaron Judge.