Yankees' Gerrit Cole, Diamondbacks' Zac Gallen named MLB All-Star starting pitchers

SEATTLE - A pair of first-time All-Star Game starting pitchers will navigate two treacherous lineups.

New York Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole and Arizona Diamondbacks ace Zac Gallen were named by Major League Baseball as the starters for Tuesday's All-Star Game, appropriate honors for two pitchers figuring to be in the thick of the Cy Young Award race all year.

Cole, 32, made no secret of his desire to earn the starting nod, noting he often has had to take a number behind Hall of Famers in his previous five All-Star trips. This time, his overall resume and attrition ensured he would take a back seat to no one.

“It’s about time he started," AL manager Dusty Baker said.

Cole ranks fifth in the AL in ERA (2.85) and sixth in strikeouts (123), all over 117 innings, second in the AL. Gallen, a first-time All-Star, leads the NL in wins (11) and WHIP (1.05) and his 118 1/3 innings rank third.

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“Zac’s numbers just came off the page for us," NL manager Rob Thomson said.

Gallen was informed last week that he would start the game, but kept it under wraps, even from family.

"For it to come to fruition is everything and more," he said.

Cole will have to deal with an NL lineup featuring Braves All-Star Ronald Acuña Jr., whose 21 homers and 42 stolen bases at the break have him threatening an unprecedented 40-80 season. Los Angeles Dodgers teammates Mookie Betts, the 2018 AL MVP as a Red Sox, and Freddie Freeman (2021 NL MVP) will make things dicey for Cole and whoever relieves him.

Two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani won't pitch in the game, but the major league home run leader with 32 will greet Gallen while the skies are still bright at T-Mobile Park.