Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates will start for the National League in the 2025 MLB All-Star Game, and he’ll face off against Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal as the American League starter at Truist Park on Tuesday.
The decision to start Skenes was made by Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, who is leading the NL team after winning the 2024 World Series. Skubal was named the starter by New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone, who is managing the AL’s team after winning the pennant last season.
This marks the second consecutive season that Skenes starts for the NL in just his second year in MLB. Skenes previously became the fifth rookie pitcher in MLB history to start an All-Star Game.
The phenom was given the honor last year after making just 11 career starts, but posting a 1.90 ERA with 89 strikeouts in 66.1 innings. He ended up pitching one scoreless inning, walking one batter but allowing no hits.
Dave Roberts called Paul Skenes to say he'd be starting the All-Star Game.
(🎥: @Pirates) pic.twitter.com/FPrDrOK1qM— Dodger Blue (@DodgerBlue1958) July 13, 2025
This season, Skenes has started 20 games, pitching to a 2.01 ERA across 121 innings while striking out 131 hitters with a 0.93 WHIP.
The Pirates shared a video of Roberts calling Skenes to notify him of the selection. In the video, Roberts indicated Skenes would again pitch one inning in his All-Star start.
Skubal is also an All-Star for the second time in his career, and for the second consecutive season. At the time of his selection, Skubal held a 2.37 ERA, 0.90 WHIP and struck out 132 hitters in 110 innings.
He pitched the second inning for the AL with a perfect frame in his All-Star debut last year. In addition, Skubal went on to win the pitching Triple Crown in 2024, leading the AL with 18 wins, a 2.39 ERA and 228 strikeouts.
This season, Skubal has thrown 121 innings with a 2.23 ERA, striking out 153 batters with a 0.83 WHIP.
Both pitchers were the most deserving candidates to start for their respective teams, even given all the other circumstances of pitchers backing out. They have simply been the two most dominant pitchers in their respective leagues, and it makes for an exciting All-Star Game matchup.
While a case could also have been made for Garrett Crochet of the Boston Red Sox and the Philadelphia Phillies’ Zack Wheeler, both of them decided against pitching in the 95th Midsummer Classic.
When is the 2025 MLB All-Star Game?
The 2025 MLB All-Star Game takes place on Tuesday, July 15, at Truist Park. It begins at 5 p.m. PT and will be broadcast by Fox.
Joe Davis will call the game, and he’s joined by analyst John Smoltz and reporters Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci.
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