NEW YORK — For a second straight year, the starting pitcher for the American League will be a Detroit Tiger.
Max Scherzer (13-1) will take the mound in the bottom of the first inning for the AL in his first-ever All-Star Game. He’s hoping his start goes better than the last Tigers’ All-Star start.
Last year, Justin Verlander started for the American League. Verlander gave up five runs on four hits last year in Kansas City while striking out two and walking two in one inning of work while getting saddled with the loss.
It marks the first time that one Major League Club has had consecutive starters in the Midsummer Classic since the Arizona Diamondbacks had three straight starters from 2000-2002 (Randy Johnson in 2000-01, Curt Schilling in 2002) and the first time for an A.L. Club since 1989-90, when Dave Stewart and Bob Welch represented the Oakland Athletics as starters. Before taking the loss in his most recent start, Scherzer’s 13-0 mark was the best start to a season since Clemens began the 1986 season with a 14-0 record. Scherzer became the first pitcher in franchise history to win his first 13 decisions and he posted a franchise-record 19 straight starts without taking a loss.
Tigers manager Jim Leyland is the American League manager for tomorrow night’s game at Citi Field, the home of the New York Mets. The game will be televised by FOX Sports.
