Corbin Burnes joins Paul Skenes as starting pitchers for MLB All-Star Game

Both starting pitchers for the 2024 Major League Baseball All-Star Game have now been announced, as Corbin Burnes of the Baltimore Orioles on Monday was given the honor to take the ball for the American League on Tuesday night in Arlington, Texas.

Burnes learned of his assignment from Hall-of-Fame pitcher and 1999 All-Star Pedro Martinez, who started for the AL in his home ballpark, Fenway Park, that year.

Burnes, 29, is new to the Orioles this season after being traded by the Milwaukee Brewers this past offseason. The right-hander and 2021 Cy Young Award winner is an All-Star for the fourth straight season and will appear in the game for the second time.

Burnes will be making his fourth consecutive all-star team and second appearance in the game itself; he was replaced on the roster in 2022 and did not appear in the 2023 game.

"First of all, I think you have to look at his résumé, what he's done in baseball," American League manager Bruce Bochy told MLB.com. "He's had an incredible career. This is his fourth consecutive All-Star Game. What he's done this year in Baltimore, you know, they're leading their division. He's a big reason for that.

"In my mind, it's just his time. It's his time to start an All-Star Game."

Why was Corbin Burnes chosen as the AL's All-Star Game starter?

Burnes is 9-4 with a 2.43 earned run average in 19 starts for the AL East-leading Orioles. He also has 110 strikeouts.

Burnes got the nod from Bochy of the Texas Rangers, the hosts for this year's game. It was Burnes who was chosen over such candidates as Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers, who has a lower ERA, more strikeouts and one more win than Burnes.

Burnes will face rookie Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who was tabbed as the National League starter last week.

Paul Skenes set to start All-Star Game for National League

Arizona Diamondbacks and National League All-Star manager Torey Lovullo announced his choice for starting pitcher for next Tuesday's Major League Baseball All-Star Game in a unique way Friday morning.

Lovullo called into the Dan Patrick Show Friday morning while Patrick was interviewing Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes. Lovullo told Skenes he'd get the ball Tuesday night at Globe Life Field to open up for the National League against the American League.

"I just wanted to congratulate you. I've chosen you to be starter for National League in the 2024 All-Star Game," Lovullo told Skenes on live television. "I'm really excited for you. It's an unbelievable honor and one that's so well deserved."

Why was Paul Skenes selected as NL starter?

Skenes has taken the baseball world by storm with his 1.90 earned run average in 11 starts. He is coming off seven innings of no-hit baseball in his start on Thursday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Skenes, the No. 1 pick in baseball's amateur draft out of LSU last summer, routinely throws pitches of 100 mph. Called up to the majors just two months ago, he's 6-0 with 89 strikeouts.

Will Paul Skenes make All-Star Game history?

Skenes, 22, is set to become the fifth rookie pitcher to start an All-Star Game, joining Hideo Nomo (1995), Fernando Valenzuela (1981), Mark Fydrich (1976) and Dave Stenhouse (1962) as those pitchers who have done so. Skenes' 11 starts tied Fidrych for the fewest going into an All-Star start.

Skenes will be the first Pirates pitcher to start an All-Star Game since 1975, when Jerry Reuss got the nod. Three other Pirates have been All-Star starters: Dock Ellis, Vern Law and Bob Friend.