How Pirates’ Paul Skenes Discussed ‘Huge Honor’ Of Starting MLB All-Star Game

Starting the MLB All-Star Game hasn’t gotten old to Paul Skenes yet.

In his second season, Skenes will start his second straight All-Star Game for the National League. The Pittsburgh Pirates ace wields a 2.01 ERA, 0.93 WHIP and 131 strikeouts entering Tuesday’s exhibition, where he’ll oppose Detroit Tigers star Tarik Skubal.

Numerous pitchers backed out of the All-Star Game to rest for the second half, but Skenes is excited to pitch in Atlanta. The 23-year-old discussed the magnitude of his latest starting nod alongside NL manager Dave Roberts during a Monday panel aired on MLB Network.

“I was lucky enough to do it last year. I don’t imagine a scenario where I would turn down starting the All-Star Game,” Skenes said. “And it’s such a huge honor to be on this stage and play with all these unbelievable players, some of them I’ve watched for years. To be able to share a field with them is an awesome experience, so great to be back.”

Skenes has pitched 121 innings this season, putting him well on track to surpass his 160 1/3 professional innings last year. Yet the right-handed hurler tossed 78 pitches over five frames in each of his last two starts before the break.

Having last pitched Friday, Skenes will have three days’ rest before making an abbreviated appearance Tuesday night. He’ll encounter New York Yankees superstar Aaron Judge, who’s batting third for the American League, and will likely face Seattle Mariners slugger Cal Raleigh from the clean-up spot unless only working a one-two-three frame in the first.

Roberts called it an “easy” decision for Skenes to start. The Los Angeles Dodgers skipper praised Skenes and Skubal, who was also present alongside AL manager Aaron Boone.

“These two guys on stage with me are guys that you can root for, are super talented, are gonna be the faces of this game for years to come,” Roberts said. “And so, for me to have Paul represent the National League … the first and only Pirates pitcher to ever (start) in back-to-back All-Star Games. Unprecedented, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he does it next year as well. It’s an honor to have him toe the rubber for the National League.”

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