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Paul Skenes named National League starting pitcher for MLB All-Star Game

IMG_0985by: Griffin McVeigh07/13/25griffin_mcveigh
Paul Skenes, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher
Photo by Benny Sieu / USA TODAY Sports

Paul Skenes is back at the MLB All-Star Game for the second consecutive season. In the early stages of his career, the accolades continue to stack up for the Pittsburgh Pirates star. And now, another one can be added to only add to his brilliance.

Skenes will take the mound first on Tuesday night in Atlanta, being named the National League’s starting pitcher. He had the honor last season as well in Arlington, getting three outs in four batters as a rookie with only 11 Big League starts under his belt.

Nobody in baseball’s long history has been younger and started in back-to-back All-Star Games. Now a little more seasoned, seeing him face the top of the American League lineup is must-see TV.

Not much might be going right for the Pirates but Skenes is about as big of a star as anyone in baseball. In 20 games this season, Skenes has thrown 121 innings for an ERA of 2.01. If not for two earned runs against his name on Friday night against Minnesota, we would be looking at a sub-two ERA. Skenes still leads baseball in the stat, either way, ahead of Philadelphia’s Zack Wheeler.

Possibly an even more eye-popping stat is the number of wins in Skenes’ record. Only four decisions have gone in his favor compared to eight losses. Not entirely something a starting pitcher can control, as the Pirates have one of the worst offenses out there. But run support is not coming the way of Skenes most times out there.

Odds are nothing will be different, even with the National League’s best at the plate. The American League and manager Aaron Boone will send Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers out there as the starting pitcher. If anyone can compete with Skenes as the best starting pitcher in the game, it’s Skubal.

For the fans in Atlanta, this will be the first time they have an opportunity to watch Skenes pitch. Pittsburgh has never sent its ace out there while at Truist Park. A nice opportunity to see one of, if not the, top guys in all of baseball.

The Mid-Summer Classic is set to take place on Tuesday. FOX will have the broadcast with Joe Davis and John Smoltz will be on the call. First pitch, which will be thrown by Skenes, is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET in what will hopefully be another entertaining game.