The All-Star Game has been scheduled to come to Chavez Ravine for a very long time. It was originally supposed to be held in 2020, but due to the pandemic, it was pushed back to 2022. For a period of time, it looked like it was cursed as the lockout loomed large before this season.
However, with it being quite the special occasion at Dodger Stadium, it warrants some questions.
Which pitcher should start the All-Star Game for the National League?
It only comes down to three names in my eyes, and two of them are Dodgers — Tony Gonsolin, Clayton Kershaw, and the Marlins Sandy Alcantara.
For Gonsolin, the case is straightforward. He has the league’s lowest ERA at 1.62 and is tied for the most wins in Majors at 11. Gonsolin currently has an 11-0 record and has pitched 88 ⅔ innings. His WHIP is at 0.80, just staggering numbers for a pitcher, who coming into Spring Training, was competing for a spot on the Dodgers rotation.
The Marlins right-hander Alcantara has a good case for himself, however. He’s pitched 123 ⅓ innings, the most in the Majors by any starting pitcher. His ERA is currently the third lowest in the league at 1.82. He pitches very deep into games, going seven to eight innings in most of his starts, and many pundits consider him the front runner for the NL Cy Young.
Lastly, the best pitcher of his generation and a future Hall of Famer, Clayton Kershaw. This scenario screams out for Kershaw to start. He’s never started an All-Star game, surprisingly, although there were various instances where he should have, and who knows how much longer he has left.
Kershaw has dealt with various injuries the last couple of years and missed some time this year. However, he’s only pitched 56 innings this year but does have a 2.57 ERA and a WHIP of 1.05.
Overall, the All-Star Game is an exhibition; it doesn’t determine home-field advantage in the World Series anymore. Last season, Shohei Ohtani started the game for the American League.
It is a draw to bring in fans, and to do that in Los Angeles, Kershaw should start. Who knows when there will be another All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium. Kershaw’s career resume speaks for itself, and it is fair to say he has earned the opportunity in front of his loyal fans.
If a Dodger should start the All Star game in LA, it should be Tony Gonsolin. The fact that Kershaw hasn’t started an All Star game is unfortunate, maybe he should have started during one of his strong years, but this isn’t one of them.
I’m with Bob. Alcantara is clearly the better pitcher in the league but I’m hoping Gonsolin gets the start home boy and all. Kershaw has had his day. Gonsolin deserves it based on this year years work which is supposedly what the all star game is about.
I hope Kershaw gets the start. Kind of a lifetime achievement award. And he is pitching well this season so it is not just a token gesture.
Alcantara. He’s clearly the best starter in baseball. If he was with the Dodgers he might be 17-0. Maybe 16-1. He gave up 5 earned once. In his last 11 starts he hasn’t gone less than 7, with 3 complete games. In my opinion where the game is played should have nothing to do with it. But, it probably will.