Paul Skenes, Tarik Skubal Start MLB All-Star Game for NL, AL

Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers have been named the starting pitchers for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game at Truist Park. Skenes will start for the National League for the second consecutive year, becoming the first pitcher to do so since 2017-18, and boasts a league-best 2.01 ERA and 131 strikeouts despite a 4-8 record. Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, will open for the American League with a 10-3 record, 2.23 ERA, and 153 strikeouts, making his first All-Star start after a perfect inning pitched last year. Both pitchers lead MLB in average four-seam fastball velocity, with Skenes at 98.2 mph and Skubal at 97.6 mph, showcasing their dominant pitching prowess. Skenes continues to build a historic early career, being among the few players to start All-Star Games in each of his first two seasons, while Skubal aims to be the first Tigers pitcher to start the game since Max Scherzer in 2013. The game is highly anticipated as a duel between two of baseball's top pitchers, highlighting their remarkable performances in the 2025 season.