AL Starting Pitcher for the All-Star Game

by McP on Jul 5, 2007 2:18 PM PDT

There really should be little debate about this, but for some reason, the press is slobbering all over Verlander and Sabathia today. Why?

So I'm reading this recap today on the Indians/Tigers game I went to, and I find this:
http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/recap?gi...

"Before the matchup of two candidates to be the AL's starting pitcher in the All-Star game, Tigers manager Jim Leyland said he couldn't comment on who might get the nod."

This really should only be about three guys, at most: Haren, Santana and Lackey. No one else deserves consideration. Why? Look:
http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/...

Haren has the ERA lead by a mile over the other two in consideration; while it's only half a season, posting a 2.20 ERA in the American League during the Steroid Era is downright nasty. Oh, and he has ten wins. Santana has ten wins, too, and his 2.70 ERA is excellent. But he's not a league leader in any category right now. Lackey? He has the worst case of the three, with an ERA over 3.00 to go with 11 wins. But his 11 wins ace out Verlander, and his ERA aces out Sabathia.

So really, this is about Haren versus Santana. I recall a game at the Coliseum in August 2005, where Santana out-dueled Haren for a 1-0 victory. They both went the distance, and Santana was a baserunner and a few strikeouts better than Haren (http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK200508120.shtml). It was a heck of a game, and I knew that night, sitting in the Coliseum, that Haren was going to make the Mulder trade worth it.

Haren has 98 strikeouts; Santana has 125 Ks. Haren only has two losses, none since the first week of the season. Santana has won four in a row, but he has six losses. Santana has the reputation and the hardware to go with it; Haren is not known to the public.

My heart says Haren; my head says Santana will get the nod, unfortunately.

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Comments

I think Leyland might just go with Haren

because its in the Bay Area.

by Zonis on Jul 5, 2007 2:27 PM PDT reply actions

Maybe we should send Leyland a carton of ciggies

to make the decision an easy one.

by jjham15 on Jul 5, 2007 3:52 PM PDT reply actions

He'll burn through those in one weekend series...

See the latest dumbass thing I've done -- camUra

by hunter on Jul 5, 2007 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Just have Torii Hunter drop it off.

by Athletix Man on Jul 5, 2007 4:37 PM PDT up reply actions

Its going to depend on...

Haren's next outing. If he can dominate like he was early in the season, and not pitch like his last 2 outing, then i think Leyland will go with him.

President of the Brent Gates Fan Club

by SoCal As Fan on Jul 5, 2007 4:49 PM PDT reply actions

Don't you think Verlander figures into it?

10-3.
A no-hitter this season.
His manager.
The hosts would no doubt be grateful, in a sense of "anybody but an Athletic, please."

The meaning of life is not so much 'found,' as it is 'made.' --Opus

by The Dogfather on Jul 5, 2007 9:22 PM PDT reply actions

what? You don't think the Giants...

would appreciate Haren striking out Bonds in his first two and only AB's of the All-Star Game? That would be so awesome!!!

These friggin' unclutch losers will never, ever win another game! Ever!

by FoolshGame22 on Jul 6, 2007 12:01 AM PDT up reply actions

Haren

probably won't face Bonds (or anyone else) twice.

Now for the tincture of tenderness, but I must use only a touch; For without a touch of tenderness it might destroy me, oops, too much.

by andeux on Jul 6, 2007 9:38 AM PDT up reply actions

I think Leyland

will throw Beckett into the mix as well.

"Their batters are patient to the point that it's annoying." -Ryan Franklin, Seattle Mariners

by Helloooo 1st on Jul 5, 2007 9:51 PM PDT reply actions

I predict Haren gets it

Leyland's no fool.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 5, 2007 10:48 PM PDT reply actions

True... he figures his team...

has more than a good chance of being in the World Series. Why wouldn't he want to give them the best chance at home field advantage?

These friggin' unclutch losers will never, ever win another game! Ever!

by FoolshGame22 on Jul 6, 2007 12:03 AM PDT up reply actions

They better f-ing not start Haren

Or even let him pitch. This would be on short rest, and we are trying to win games. Long term health outweighs this one game. We can do this, but we cannot afford to risk the few healthy players we have left.

Miller-You forgot about Scutaro! Morgan- So did Santana...

by tresselfan on Jul 6, 2007 5:48 AM PDT reply actions

I wouldn't worry much--

Tuesday would be a "side session" day for Haren between starts. If he starts Saturday, and not again until next Friday or Saturday, and has just one throwing session in between (pitching 1-2 innings Tuesday in the All-Star game, instead of a bullpen session) he should be absolutely fine.

I like Cindi. A. She never pretends to know more than she does. B. She has unbridled enthusiasm for her "Hotties," and isn't afraid to show it. -IM4Oakgal

by Nico on Jul 6, 2007 12:03 PM PDT up reply actions