Cleveland – Tarik Skubal, fresh off seven dominant scoreless innings against the Guardians Sunday, was named to the American League All-Star team for the second straight year.
Which, given his brilliance this season (10-2, 2.02 ERA and a league-best 11.5 strikeouts per nine innings), was not a surprise.
“It means a lot,” he said. “And being able to go share it with more teammates will also be pretty special.”
Skubal will join fan-voted starters Riley Greene (left field), Javier Baez (center field) and Gleyber Torres (second base) as the Tigers’ All-Star contingent.
“To be honest, I’m a little disappointed only getting four,” Skubal said. “I think there are a lot more deserving guys on our team. We’ve got the best record in the American League. I would like to think we’d be more represented there.”
He rattled off teammates Zach McKinstry, Spencer Torkelson, Dillon Dingler, Will Vest, Tommy Kahnle and Casey Mize as all deserving of a spot on the team.
“As much as I enjoy that I’m going, I’m pretty disappointed with only four of us going. There’s more deserving people in this room, for sure.”
The Tigers, who last had four representatives in the game in 2015, still could have one or two more selected as injury replacements.
“We are hopeful of getting a couple more and we have some capable guys,” manager AJ Hinch said. “And I told the team that. Maybe our list can grow but we’ve done a lot of good things as a team and we have a lot of things to celebrate as individuals.
“Having a minimum of four at the game is special recognition for our team and our organization.”
Interesting, too, that it’s two homegrown players (Skubal and Greene) and two players who chose to sign with the Tigers (Baez and Torres).
“Our guys are gaining a ton of confidence at this level and they are getting the recognition for it,” Hinch said. “It’s important that these types of events showcase our best players for the 2025 season and they are taking four of our best.
“And they can go deeper if they want.”
The next question is whether American League manager Aaron Boone will select Skubal to start the game.
“It’d be an honor to start,” Skubal said. “I’m not going to say I don’t care. I didn’t start last year. It’d be an honor to start the All-Star Game and it’s something I want to do at least once in my career. But I’m not making those decisions.”
Boone has a lot to choose from – Boston’s Garrett Crochet, Texas’ Jacob deGrom, Seattle’s Bryan Woo, the Angels’ Yusei Kikuchi and his own lefty Max Fried.
Houston’s Hunter Brown, the Wayne State product, is scheduled to pitch next Sunday and wouldn’t be able to pitch in the All-Star Game Tuesday, July 15 in Atlanta.
“It’s not going to offend me,” Skubal said, if he’s not chosen to start. “I get it. Booney makes those decisions, just like (Texas manager Bruce) Bochy made the decision last year. I want to start but it’s out of my hands.
“So I don’t need to worry about it too much.”
Skubal’s next start will be Saturday against Seattle. The All-Star Game will fall on his normal bullpen day.
“I want him to get the satisfaction of whatever he needs,” Hinch said when asked if he wanted Skubal to get the start. “He’s obviously got hardware (Cy Young Award), he’s obviously very popular. If it’s important to Tarik, it’s important to me. But I want him to be safe, I want him to be ready and prepared.
“It’s a huge honor for him. If that’s the choice, if Booney wants him and Tarik wants to do it, we should celebrate that.”
@cmccosky
AL starters
First baseman: Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
Second baseman: Gleyber Torres, Tigers
Shortstop: Jacob Wilson, Athletics
Third baseman: Jose Ramirez, Guardians
Catcher: Cal Raleigh, Mariners
Outfielders: Aaron Judge, Yankees; Riley Greene, Tigers; Javy Baez Tigers
Designated hitter: Ryan O’Hearn, Orioles
AL reserves
Infielder: Jonathan Aranda, Rays
Infielder: Alex Bregman, Red Sox
Infielder: Jazz Chisholm Jr., Yankees
Infielder: Brandon Lowe, Rays
Infielder: Jeremy Peña, Astros
Infielder: Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
Catcher: Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays
Outfielder: Byron Buxton, Twins
Outfielder: Steven Kwan, Indians
Outfielder: Julio Rodríguez, Mariners
Designated hitter: Brent Rooker, Athletics
AL starting pitchers
Hunter Brown, Astros
Kris Bubic, Royals
Garrett Crochet, Red Sox
Jacob deGrom, Rangers
Max Fried, Yankees
Yusei Kikuchi, Angels
Tarik Skubal, Tigers
Shane Smith, White Sox
Bryan Woo, Mariners
AL relievers
Aroldis Chapman, Red Sox
Josh Hader, Astros
Andrés Muñoz, Mariners
NL starters
First baseman: Freddie Freeman, Dodgers
Second baseman: Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
Shortstop: Francisco Lindor, Mets
Third baseman: Manny Machado, Padres
Catcher: Will Smith, Dodgers
Outfielders: Ronald Acuna Jr., Braves; Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs; Kyle Tucker, Cubs
Designated hitter: Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
NL reserves
Infielder: Pete Alonso, Mets
Infielder: Elly De La Cruz, Reds
Infielder: Brendan Donovan, Cardinals
Infielder: Matt Olson, Braves
Infielder: Eugenio Suárez, Diamondbacks
Catcher: Hunter Goodman, Rockies
Outfielder: Corbin Carroll, Diamondbacks
Outfielder: Kyle Stowers, Marlins
Outfielder: Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
Outfielder: James Wood, Nationals
Designated hitter: Kyle Schwarber, Phillies
NL starting pitchers
Matthew Boyd, Cubs
MacKenzie Gore, Nationals
Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers
Freddy Peralta, Brewers
Robbie Ray, Giants
Chris Sale, Braves
Paul Skenes, Pirates
Logan Webb, Giants
Zack Wheeler, Phillies
Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Dodgers
NL relievers
Jason Adam, Padres
Edwin Díaz, Mets
Randy Rodríguez, Giants
MLB All-Star Game
When: Tuesday, July 15, 8 p.m.
Where: Truist Park, Atlanta
TV: Fox
Home Run Derby: Monday, July 14, 8 p.m. (ESPN)