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The 2025 MLB All-Star Game will feature a heavyweight tilt between two dominant starting pitchers to open the contest: Pittsburgh Pirates’ Paul Skenes and Detroit Tigers’ Tarik Skubal.
Skubal is 10-3 this season with a 2.23 ERA, 153 strikeouts, and a 0.826 WHIP. The 28-year-old has now earned back-to-back All-Star nods, and this year marks the first time he’ll start the midsummer classic.
Even though Skubal will be a dominant presence for the American League team, he’ll be going toe-to-toe with another intimidating arm in Skenes, who will be taking the mound as the starter for the National League. The 21-year-old is just 4-8, but his 2.01 ERA, 131 strikeouts, and 0.926 WHIP tell a different story.
On Monday, Skenes and Skubal spoke with MLB Network and shared their thoughts on playing and being the starters for their respective leagues at the All-Star Game.
“To be able to be in an All-Star Game for one, and to start the All-Star Game, is unbelievable,” Skenes said. “So I’m glad I can stick with my normal routine and go out there and pitch. It’s going to be fun.”
"It's a huge honor, huge opportunity... it's gonna be fun."
Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal talk about toeing the rubber and taking in the moment during tomorrow's #AllStarGame!
📺 All-Star Media Day on MLB Network pic.twitter.com/SgnwxcudzB
Meanwhile, the Tigers' ace hopes to use this All-Star Game experience and his role as the AL starter to build connections with players like Skenes and others.
“I think it’s cool to establish relationships in this thing,” Skubal said. “That way, the next time you see them—whether you’re at their park or they’re at yours—you can have a more in-depth conversation.
“Because this stuff is like a whirlwind: guys are in and out, taking pictures, doing all that stuff. But when you catch a guy at the yard, you can carve out 30 minutes to talk about stuff... It’s fun to be able to share the locker room with those guys and stuff like that.”
MORE: Tigers listed as possible trade fit for $14 million Rangers All-Star
A lot of eyes will be on Tuesday’s game to see if both pitchers can one-up each other in a showdown between the favorites for the Cy Young award in their leagues.
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