Matt Cain, Justin Verlander Named All-Star Game Starting Pitchers

Matt Cain through a perfect game earlier this season.  It was a feat never done in the history of the San

Francisco Giants.  A few weeks earlier he and his team were being criticized for the contract he signed in the off-season – the largest contract ever for a right-handed pitcher.  That’s one of the great things about baseball. Things change quickly.  Much like the Detroit Tigers’ status in the AL Central.  Last year they were the runaway champs.  This year, with what most perceive as more talent, they aren’t even in first at the All-Star break.  But Justin Verlander has been as dominant as ever no matter what his record says.  Both Matt Cain and Justin Verlander will be All-Star Game starters tomorrow.

Matt Cain is 9-3 with a 2.62 ERA.  He has simply been one of the most dominant pitchers in the National League.  He doesn’t come across as they type of pitchers hitters fear, but he should.  He has helped the Giants climb up from the gutter after their slow start and fight their way back into contention.  They lead the Wild Card standings in the NL right now and are within striking distance of the

Dodgers for first place.  Cain and Tim Lincecum anchored the 2010 World Series championship team, and Cain seems poised to do so again this year.

Justin Verlander came dangerously close to another no-hitter in his amazing career earlier this year, but he yield a hit in the ninth to break it up.  But that’s the type of stuff he has.  Anyone who watches him pitches understandably and justifiably has a slight expectation of seeing history.  That type of dominance is usually rewarded and it was in this case as Verlander will start tomorrow for the American League.  He is 9-5 with a 2.58 ERA.  His record is deceiving thanks to the relatively poor performance his team and its offense have shown in the first half of the season.

The game will be tomorrow on Fox at 8 ET.  Expect fireworks from both sides, but expect shutdown pitching as well.