SEATTLE – For the first time since the All-Star Game, a pair of starting pitchers have explored two deceptive lineups.
New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole and Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zach Gallen were named Major League Baseball starters in Tuesday’s All-Star Game, a fitting honor for two pitchers who have been in the Cy Young Award race all year.
The 32-year-old Cole has made no secret of his desire to get the starting nod, having often had to take the number behind Hall of Famers in his previous five All-Star trips. This time around, he has proven that his overall career and art will not take a backseat to anyone.
“It’s time to start,” AL manager Dusty Baker said.
Cole ranks fifth in the AL in ERA (2.85) and in strikeouts (123), over 117 innings. Galen, a first-time All-Star, leads the NL in wins (11) and WHIP (1.05) and his 118 1/3 innings pitched third.
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“Zach’s numbers jumped off the page for us,” NL manager Rob Thompson said.
Galen was told last week that he would start the game, but kept it under wraps, even from family.
“It’s everything and more for fruit to come,” he said.
Cole will have to deal with an NL lineup in which Braves All-Star Ronald Acuna Jr. threatened an unprecedented 40-80 season with 21 homers and 42 stolen bases at the break. Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Mookie Betts, 2018 AL MVP as the Red Sox and Freddie Freeman (2021 NL MVP) make it a challenge for Cole and anyone else.
Two-way All-Star Shohei Ohtani won’t play in the game, but he will greet Gallen with the Maryleague home run leader 32. The skies are still bright at T-Mobile Park.
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