Orioles right-hander Corbin Burnes has been named the starting pitching for the American League side in this year’s All-Star game, per announcements from Major League Baseball and the O’s. This will be his fourth All-Star selection but his first time starting.
Burnes, 29, has been one of the best pitchers in the majors in recent years. He spent most of his career with the Brewers but came to the O’s via an offseason trade. From 2020 to 2023, Burnes logged over 600 innings with Milwaukee, posting a 2.86 ERA in that time. He struck out 30.9% of batters faced, limited walks to a 7.1% clip and kept balls in play on the ground at a rate of 46.4%. He made the All-Star team in three straight years from 2021 to 2023 and won the National League Cy Young in the first season of that stretch.
Since coming over to the American League, he has largely continued in the same manner. Through 19 starts as an Oriole, he has a 2.43 ERA in 118 2/3 innings. His 23.3% strikeout rate is down relative to his past work but he’s also lowered his walk rate to 5.3% and increased his ground ball rate to 49.4%.
It was a bit questionable as to whether Burnes would be able to participate in the game as his wife recently gave birth to twins, but she apparently signed off on him appearing in the game, per Britt Ghiroli of The Athletic on X. Rangers manager Bruce Bochy is the skipper for the American League and mentioned the success of the O’s as well as the track record of Burnes as factors leading to his decision, per Jake Rill of MLB.com on X.
Burnes is in his final season of arbitration and will be a free agent at season’s end. He placed second on the most recent edition of the MLBTR Free Agent Power Rankings, trailing only Juan Soto of the Yankees.
Skubal robbed
I agree, Skubal beats him in pretty much every category!
Totally agree, bro. Skubal freakin’ got HOSED.
Nah, two very good choices and they picked the one in a winning team who is better known.
Seems like a missed opportunity to grow the game by not starting one of the two young lefties. Burns is established, it’s time to get new names out there.
Ok. Now do skenes
I thought there were a couple of pitchers who had pitched the whole first half of the season who were more deserving than Skenes who had pitched for a shorter time period. But other posters rightfully pointed out that those other pitchers had pitched too close to the all-star game to be ready. For that reason, I get the selection of Skenes.
What does that have to do with it? Shouldn’t that make Skubals case even better that his team nightly gets 5 hits and he still wins the same amount as Burnes? I like Burnes but Skubal’s stats were better and that’s what the All Star game is about. Skenes is on a losing team so why not let Sale start in the NL with that logic.
Pirates are at 500.
The Tigers are 47-50. Pretty much the same re ord as Pittsburgh.
In my opinion Sale has way more innings pitched and deserved the start unless he didn’t want to start. He did pitch recently though so that could have factored in
He would be starting on 3 days rest. He’s not available. Burnes was the best choice
Skubal deserved it over Burnes but the coach gets to decide.
Baseball has Managers.
That is true.
And the AL All Stars have an OLD one.
This is sort of reminiscent of Burnes winning a Cy Young over Wheeler who pitched like 50 more innings. Or even Buehler. But it really doesn’t matter much who starts imo. Tho I didn’t like the idea that Manfred might overrule Lovullo if Sale had been named the starter. Even tho Skenes should start because it’s what fans want to see probably. Someone said, I think, that Skubal is on short rest so that would make sense. Tho he’s still on roster is he not? So he’s gonna pitch probably.
Skubal pitched Friday night which makes Tuesday day 4. He’s able to throw an inning. Picking Burnes because he’s on a better team is ludicrous and a red flag that the ASG has become a publicity stunt irregardless of the players metrics. Definitely, a snub especially after AJ lobbied with Bruce for Skubal.
Like Naldo said he is not on short rest and his manager actually called Bochy to campaign for him to start. Hinch is quoted in an article about it.
Burnes is ranked 2nd in Cy Young voting right now but trails Skubal in almost every category. Burnes is a great pitcher, having a great year but there is no way he should have gotten the start over Skubal.
I have always liked and respected Bochy but his decision stinks.
It is a publicity stunt..has been for devades and thats the point..and nobody cares
Bruce is old school.
The Brewers could use Burnes right about now. Brewers have done these type of deals before like the Rays trading away from the roster to put together a consistent winner but that was Stearns we’ll see how that approach works without him. All I know is they’re sliding fast and it’s all about starting pitching that could cost big at the deadline. Unless they want to back into a wild card spot and hope for the best
The Brew Crew is banged up for sure and look like they need at least one more good SP. They’ve done a great job of patching things together behind Peralta in the first half. Right now though, that staff is not likely to stack up well with most of the teams competing for those last playoff spots, let alone the Phillies, Dodgers or Braves. I hope they go get someone.
One article said they need a #2 type (like Flaherty). I think he’d be a good fit but it seems like there will be a high cost even for rentals. Fedde is another one who might fit and he has an extra year of control. It doesn’t seem like they will want to play in the market for the Crochets or Skubals (who I doubt would be traded anyway).
I’ll be cheering for them in the playoffs since it is very doubtful the Tigers make it in. Cheers dude.
Well deserved, won’t be surprised if he won AL Cy Young
Not deserved if he does. Have you seen Skubal’s numbers? Have you watched him pitch? I think the answer to both questions is a hard no.
Skubal isn’t available. He pitched friday
He can pitch an inning or two. Where did anyone say he wasn’t available?
Actually, Skubal IS AVAILABLE per Tigers manager Hinch, GM Harris and Skubal himself
Motor – Likely nobody will pitch more than one inning in an ASG ever again because there is no longer the possibility of extra innings.
Last year nobody pitched more than one inning.
Burnes pitches in a tougher park and tougher division. We can stop pretending the AL Central pitchers are better than the best AL East pitcher.
Right because he pitches all his games there and only pitches against AL East teams? Give your head a shake dude.
Give yours a shake. Burnes will have thrown in more hitter-friendly parks and face better competition in a few more starts than any pitcher in the Central, by virtue of pitching in the AL East. Your division is still weak and perhaps still the weakest in baseball.
If he gives his head a shake, the rocks will make things very loud in that echo chamber. Some really twisted logic there its_happening.
Tarik Skubal deserved more, won’t be surprised if he won AL Cy Young.
I think Seth Lugo pooped the bed his last game andade the selection easier.
roster – Lugo pooped on Saturday, not enough time to rest.
Burnes hasn’t pitched since last Wednesday.
Lugo probably shouldn’t have been in consideration to start anyway. He’s having a nice year but Burnes, Skubal, Ragans, and Crochet have better advanced metrics and were more deserving even before Lugo’s bad start Saturday. (Check out their Savant pages if you want to see that)
I really don’t think, personally, that the advanced metrics should factor into this. I think they are there for future prediction. Being an all-star is about (besides popularity) the bottom line results. Besides Burnes, what do those other 3 have in common that Lugo doesnt? They strike a TON out. It’s not the only factor in those metrics but the basic metrics always favor the three “true” outcomes (which is itself a bias saying).
Garrett Crochet, Tarik Skubal & Cole Ragans were all more deserving to start, based on FIP and fWAR.
Crochet, Ragans and Skubal all pitched July 12th, unavailable for the All Star game.
I’ll be surprised if none of them pitch tomorrow, which would invalidate your “unavailable” comment.
@WillieMaysHayes24
Remind me how many innings do these guys pitch in an AS game? 1, maybe 2?
York – Likely nobody will pitch more than one inning in an ASG ever again because there is no longer the possibility of extra innings.
Last year nobody pitched more than one inning.
The only ones unavailable would have been the ones that threw on Sunday. They only pitch 1-2 innings max anyway and for many it’ll be their normal throw day anyway
Crochet was removed after just two innings Friday so he could be “ready” for the AS game!
3 days rest? That would rule out almost everyone
It’s not a full start, pitchers throw bullpens between starts, this would just be that
SKUBAL IS AVAILABLE TO START
PER:
AJ HINCH
SCOTT HARRIS
SKUBAL HIMSELF
But not according to Bochy. Grrrrt
Diabetic Rockstar: Why are you SHOUTING?
Because nobody is listening.
Willie – That’s false, and easily proven as such.
Look at last year’s ASG, numerous pitchers used in the game had pitched just 3 or 4 days prior.
Sure, throwing out 80% of data points and a formula based on throwing out 80% of data points. That ends any argument right there.
All pitch in the AL Central minor leagues. Makes sense Byrnes’ numbers aren’t as strong.
Burnes pitches in more tougher parks in a tougher division, has had 8 starts against teams over .500 to Skubal’s 5. Burnes is the right choice.
No it simply is not the right choice. You’re really cherry picking the stats to fit your narrative. Did you know that the Tigers play outside the Central? Apparently not.
The only one listening to you…is you!
Not sure if it lined up for them but would have much rather seen Skubal or Crochet.
It certainly did line up for Tarik. He pitched six innings on Thursday and had something like 83 pitches. I figure that AJ pulled him so early to accommodate a ASG start. Bruce Bochy should be ashamed of himself.
Congrats to Byrnes.
Yes I agree. He is having a great season and didn’t make the decision about who starts the game so congrats to him on getting the nod and his season to date.
It says he’s been named THE starting pitching for the AL. Complete game on tap.
@racosun
Agreed, if you’re starting, you should be going at least 9. Anything short of 9 considers you a member of the bullpen.
This team is only playing 1 game. So I guess that makes Burnes not just the game’s starting pitcher but also the team’s starting pitching.
It’s a bullpen game
Agreed about Skubal getting robbed! Idiotic choice by Bochy!
@Old York, pitching on the Friday before the ASB does not disqualify a pitcher from starting the ASG. Only the Sunday before. You have to know the rules to comment on them, else you run a high risk of disinformation, which you just accomplished.
@Old York, you weren’t the one posting that. That’s on me. Sorry. My angst should have been towards WillieMaysHayes24. He’s the one who is misinformed and misleading people not you. He was responding to your comment. Again my bad and my apologies for calling you out.
I think he meant in terms of starting the AS game. They may pitch, but it makes more sense to have Burnes start. Maybe next time try not being such a condescending a-hole in your replies. 😀
Another a hole calling me one for BEING RIGHT? You’re not a condescending a hole, just an a hole to the core. Get a life.
Guess he will not be the Friday Orioles starter….maybe the weekend!!!
Jack – He’ll be throwing just one inning tomorrow, maybe 2 if the pitch count is low enough. It’s nothing more than throwing the usual between-starts bullpen session.
No reason he can’t start Friday, unless Hyde wants to re-align the rotation.
Great.. thought so…thanks…
Waiting for some bigger orioles news. Please
I mean that gift that Baltimore got in their last game courtesy of Holmes, Volpe and Verdugo should make O’s fans happy.
Skubal for Henderson
And what else? Also…no 😉
Always being a huge American League fan come the Allstar game a few of my buds and I would watch at favorite bar/ tavern/ pub/ watering hole/ in late 80’s early 90’s.. When the NL would come up or bring in a new pitcher , I’d be like who is this guy??? They would hit me with the usual.. you serious!! You live under a rock?? You drunk off of 6 beers and 7 shot’s already??? To my response… ‘ No I told you guys I don’t follow the minor leagues!!! PLAY BALL!!!
@olmtiant
AL is closer to bush league. Oh, no, poor baby pitchers, can’t hit a ball. We need someone to do it for you.
Maybe but it also really inflated NL pitchers stats getting to face them….
@olmtiant
And it’s inflated the AL offensive numbers having an extra full-time batter. Sad that the AL needs an extra batter to pad their stats.
6 of one … half dozen of another…. To me that makes what Pedro did in late 90’s even that more impressive….
How old are you? The dementia got you thinking the AL has an extra batter?! ROFLMAO!
Just proves my view of the forward thinking Brewers. Sending Burnes to the AL so he can demoralize the NL’s best hitters in time for the stretch run. Brilliant!
Has this organization ever made a mistake??
I didn’t like the Gorman Thomas for Rick Manning trade. But based on the Thomas’s output afterward I guess it wasn’t so bad.
Colonel… I love the fact they were both CF… being a full figure man I appreciated storming Gorman play CF!!!
Reese Olsen for Daniel Norris was pretty solid
Indeed. The Tigers won the Olson/Norris trade in a huge way!
Good Pcik to start!!!
Boras wants the PR to ask 10/500mil FA contract for Burnes…. “age is overrated with SPs. Don’t get hung up on that!”…..joking or is it
Boras also represents Skubal
Anyone notice a week or so ago A’s catcher McCann homered off McCann O’s catcher lol
Gotta be a first
And they still held them under 20
The Orioles’ Kevin Brown said it was a first on TV.
I only saw the box score. Had to check it a couple of times to make sure it wasn’t me and my eyes at 2 am. lol.
lol!
Didn’t realize that. Potential bar bet.
So much rage for an inconsequential game!
Rage? LOL
I don’t think anyone is that thin skinned to elevate their blood pressure over this. Well, maybe Jonny5 who called me a nasty name over being correct about calling someone out. He apparently is a nut job who I’m laughing at but laughing is healthy for you studies say. No rage here.
Ronel Blanco is having a better year than Burnes.
I think the A.L. is going to win this game. After Skenes, the A.L. will score. N.L. may be shut out.
Looks like the Boch is lobbying for a new starting pitcher.
Otherwise this is a baseless, doddering old fool’s pick.
Neither him nor Skubal deserve it. Skubal has gotten hit hard in like half of his last few starts.Houston,Atlanta and one more start he was pummeled. Look at the baseball savant page of those starts
Look at Skubal’s stats on the year so far. There is no question that Skubal deserves it. Skubal and Burnes are 1-2 in Cy Young voting for a reason.
I’m glad people still care about this game. Who is starting, who got hosed, who will win.
Brewers fans still think they won that trade. lol
Yea, Burnes is on a one year rental with the O’s
This is much ado about what has become a ceremonial honor.
Pitchers usually each go an inning and are done.
In days of old, when knights were bold and pitch counts not yet invented, the starter often pitched the first three innings, and sometimes the second guy did as well.
In 1986 at the Astrodome, for example, Roger Clemens and Teddy Higuera covered the first six innings for the AL while Dwight Gooden and Fernando Valenzuela did the same for the NL.
People are getting way too worked up about the all star game, its a vote and hence a popularity contest, too much energy being placed on snubs and who “should” get things. Then for a starter it is just the manager’s choice.
You could go back through the list of ASG starters and probably wonder about half of them “being deserving” and strongly question a quarter of them and be justified.
I think there should be a vote for the teams, but discontinue the game and still give the players a midseason break. Same with the NFL pro bowl and the NHL all star game. These games are a relic from a simple time when there was limited access to players, very limited ability to see them on TV. But someone makes money off them that’s why they continue.
The NFL Pro Bowl doesn’t exist anymore. It’s a game of flag football and skills events. This is the way the other all star games should be headed. They all end up being irrelevant in the long run.
The all star game is a farce, I never watch it anymore.
I haven’t watched in many years but I still keep track. Starting the ASG is still an honor as is playing in it, but it doesn’t mean nearly as much as it used to.
The last one I actually watched was 1993 when it was in Baltimore and I lived in the area. I followed the results up until maybe 2000 or 2001. Of course now living out of market I depend on the online 5 minute or so game summaries/highlights.
I agree though, to be named to the team still carries an honor to it, for the players and fans, no matter how you feel about who was voted.
I don’t even remember when I last saw the ASG. I can’t watch it tonight even if I wanted to. I’ll be on an Amtrak that doesn’t have WiFi and the cell service is spotty at best.