MLB All-Star Game: 5 Pitchers Who Could Start the Game for the AL

Major League Baseball released the current voting totals for this year's All-Star Game earlier this week, so we know where things stand as far as which position players the fans want to appear at the Midsummer Classic.

The American League's projected lineup is interesting, as it's more or less the Texas Rangers' lineup with a few random stars like Prince Fielder, Derek Jeter and Curtis Granderson sprinkled in. 

Basically, it's yet another thing that shows why fans shouldn't be allowed to vote for All-Star starters.

The bright side is that fans can't vote for pitchers, nor do they have any say in which pitchers start the Midsummer Classic for either side. This year, that's entirely up to Ron Washington and guest manager for the NL, Tony LaRussa.

A couple weeks ago, I drew up a list of candidates to start the All-Star Game for the AL. Things have changed since then, so why don't we go ahead and take a look at which pitchers are leading the race to start the game for the AL right now?

Yes, let's do that.

Honorable Mentions

Bruce Chen, Kansas City Royals

Seriously?

No, not really. 

Well, kinda.

Actually, yeah. I legitimately want to see Bruce Chen start the All-Star Game.

Jake Peavy, Chicago White Sox

He certainly has the numbers, and he has a legit case to be in the top five on this list. I left him out because there are several guys with better numbers and because Peavy's stuff isn't as nasty as it used to be. He's therefore slightly lacking in the excitement department.

Jered Weaver, Los Angeles Angels

Weaver is another guy who has impressive numbers, but he's currently on the disabled list with a back injury. Even if he's healthy when the All-Star Game rolls around, I doubt he'd be considered as a possible starter. Not if the Angels have anything to say about it, anyway.

C.J. Wilson, Los Angeles Angels

A lot of people aren't noticing the season Wilson is having this year. He's been very good. If he stays hot over the next month, he'll be a candidate to start. For now, he's merely in the discussion.

5. David Price, Tampa Bay Rays

David Price is having yet another fine season for the Tampa Bay Rays. He has a record of 7-3 in his 11 starts with a 2.44 ERA that ranks second in the American League.

Price hasn't been perfect this season, as he's put a lot of runners on base and has forced himself to work out of trouble. The fact that he's managed to do that on a consistent basis just goes to show how much he's matured as a pitcher.

Don't look now, but Price is starting to heat up. He's gone at least seven innings in each of his last three starts, giving up a grand total of two earned runs in the process. If he continues in this fashion, he's going to end up having a pretty special season.

Based on numbers alone, Price should be higher in the running to start the All-Star Game for the American League. I decided to put him down at No. 5 because starting the All-Star Game is an honor he's already gotten to enjoy. He started for the AL back in 2010.

If at all possible, Ron Washington should try to put a first-timer on the mound for the start.

4. Brandon Morrow, Toronto Blue Jays

Brandon Morrow is the American League's answer to Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. He's occasionally brilliant, but every once in a while he completely falls flat.

Thankfully for the Blue Jays, Morrow has been brilliant more often than not this season. He's made 12 starts this season, and he's allowed one earned run or fewer in eight of them. He's already thrown three complete-game shutouts in which he's allowed three or fewer hits.

For the season, Morrow has terrific numbers. He's 7-3 with a 2.90 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP and 67 strikeouts in 77.2 innings pitched. Despite his occasional struggles, he looms large as one of the top pitchers in the American League.

The numbers are just part of the reason Morrow should be considered a legit candidate to start the All-Star Game. He has some of the best stuff of any pitcher in baseball, and odds are it would be even nastier if he was to totally cut loose for a couple innings.

If Washington is looking to get the AL off to a dominant start (and he is), he should consider leading off with Morrow.

3. Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers

Seeing Yu Darvish on this list probably comes as a bit of a surprise.

As well it should. Darvish got off to a terrific start, but he's had to take his lumps in his last six starts. His tendency to walk the ballpark hasn't helped.

Nonetheless, Darvish's numbers for the season are still solid. He has a 7-3 record and a 3.34 ERA, and he's struck out 73 in just 67.1 innings of work.

Though controlling it can be a problem, Darvish has arguably the nastiest stuff of any pitcher in the American League. He can run his fastball up to the plate in the mid 90s, and everything he throws moves. He's capable of making very good hitters look silly, especially if they haven't seen Darvish before.

The National League would therefore be at a considerable disadvantage against Darvish. He'll have made an interleague start or two by the time the All-Star Game rolls around, but his stuff will still be largely mysterious to the NL starting lineup. 

Plus, it would be cool to see an international superstar get the start in baseball's most glorified exhibition game.

2. Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox

The best pitcher in the American League over the last month hasn't been Justin Verlander, Brandon Morrow, David Price or Josh Beckett.

No sir, that honor belongs to Chris Sale. Chicago's Randy Johnson clone has been on a heck of a roll.

In his last five starts, Sale has a record of 4-1 and an ERA of 1.87 with 39 strikeouts in 33.2 innings pitched (h/t Baseball-Reference.com).

Sale's last two starts, in particular, were brilliant. He struck out 15 Tampa Bay Rays in one, and then followed that up with a complete game against the Seattle Mariners.

Sale is now sitting on a 7-2 record and an AL-best 2.30 ERA. He also has an opponents' batting average of .193.

If Washington were to go with a lefty to start the All-Star Game, Sale would have to be his guy. He would just have to check with the White Sox and make sure they're cool with Sale's elbow getting a little extra work.

Kenny Williams' probable response: "Noooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

1. Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers

Justin Verlander has struggled in each of his last two starts, giving up a grand total of 19 hits and 10 runs (eight earned) in 12.1 innings against the Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees.

Despite these two subpar starts, Verlander still has a solid 2.67 ERA and an excellent 0.97 WHIP. He leads the American League in innings pitched and strikeouts.

It may seem like Verlander is having an off season, but he's not. It just looks like an off season because of how good he was last year, when he was unhittable for about four months. 

In fact, Verlander is technically the top starter in the American League, as he leads all AL starters with a WAR of 2.7, according to FanGraphs.

So if Washington is looking for a good, trustworthy starting pitcher to get things started for the AL this season, he should very much consider Verlander.

Besides, Verlander is kinda owed this honor. He has yet to start the All-Star Game, and that needs to change.

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