Pirates' Paul Skenes, Tigers' Tarik Skubal Start 2025 MLB All-Star Game

The 2025 MLB All-Star Game will feature a marquee pitching matchup between Pittsburgh Pirates' Paul Skenes and Detroit Tigers' Tarik Skubal, both starting for their respective leagues. Skenes, just 23 years old, is making his second consecutive All-Star Game start for the National League, joining an elite group of pitchers such as Max Scherzer and Randy Johnson who have accomplished the feat. Despite a 4-8 record, Skenes leads the majors with a 2.01 ERA and showcases a powerful fastball averaging 98.2 mph. Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, boasts a 10-3 record with a 2.23 ERA and leads MLB in wins, ERA, and strikeouts since the prior season, with a fastball velocity of 97.6 mph. Skubal was initially willing to defer the AL starting nod to Yankees' Max Fried, but Fried withdrew, allowing Skubal to earn the start. Both pitchers expressed excitement about the game and the opportunity to build connections with fellow players, highlighting the All-Star Game's significance beyond competition.