2011 MLB All-Star Game: Why Jair Jurrjens Should Start for the NL

In part two of this series, I will examine who should be the starting pitcher for the National League in next week's MLB All-Star game.

In part one, I made my claim for Jered Weaver to start the game for the AL, after the wonderful season that he has had thus far.

Shifting to my attention to the NL, there are several viable candidates that could start on the hill this coming Tuesday.

Phillies veteran Roy Halladay is always a favorite to start for his respective league, and this season is no different.

He is 11-3 with a 2.44 ERA, and an amazing 133 strikeouts for the season.

He also leads the league with six complete games and is ranked first among other NL starter candidates with just 17 walks on the year.

His teammate Cole Hamels has also put together a solid season, along with Braves righty Tommy Hanson.

Another name that could be thrown into the mix is Phillies lefty Cliff Lee, who is having another solid season in 2011.

However, none of these pitchers have had the type of season that Hanson's teammate, Jair Jurrjens has been enjoying so far in 2011.

Jurrjens is currently tied for the Major League lead in wins with 12, and also owns the best ERA among all starters, coming in with a 1.87 clip for the campaign.

Batters are hitting just .229 against him this season, and he has a solid WHIP of 1.07 in a combined 16 starts in 2011.

After struggling to a 7-6 record with a 4.64 ERA in an injury-plagued 2010, he appears to have figured some things out in the front of the Braves rotation.

Jurrjens is the real deal, and at just 25 years of age, he could be great for a very long time in this league.

Jair Jurrjens should be the NL starter when the full starting lineups are revealed next Tuesday night, and there should be no doubt about it.