The National League and American League starting pitchers were announced on Monday for Tuesday night's 2012 MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City.
The Detroit Tigers ace, Justin Verlander was named the starter by Texas Rangers manager Ron Washington according to MLB.com. Verlander expressed excitement about being the AL starting pitcher:
"What an honor it is to start my first All-Star Game," Verlander said at an Arrowhead Stadium news conference on Monday. "I've been to a few in the past and some I haven't had the opportunity to pitch like last year and some I've pitched out of the bullpen. But this is something different, and I'm going to relish every moment and hopefully play a part in helping the American league win."
St. Louis Cardinals skipper Tony La Russa decided on Matt Cain of the San Francisco Giants over R.A. Dickey of the New York Mets. La Russa explained his decision this way:
"I know Dickey's going to play," La Russa said. "I'm very aware of the first half he's had. The one edge that I thought made sense, we've got Buster [Posey] catching and Matt is equally legitimate as far as getting the honor. And then we're just going to play the game. I can't bet you Dickey will come out in the second or fourth, I just know he's going to pitch in the first half of the game."
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