MLB: Which Pitchers Should Start in the All-Star Game?

American League: Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox

There is no pitcher in the American League more reliable than the Chicago White Sox’s Chris Sale. The left-hander has been named to four straight All-Star Games and should be chosen as the starting pitcher for the AL in the Midsummer Classic.

In 2016, Sale has posted a 2.54 ERA and AL-leading 0.94 WHIP. He is also 9-2 with an 8.3 K/9 ratio.

Sale is known for being the workhorse and ace of the Chicago White Sox. He goes going deep into ball games in almost every start. In fact, he has gone the complete distance an MLB-leading three times.

While Salazar, Hill, Estrada and Steven Wright all have better ERAs than the left-hander, Sale separates himself in other statistics.

Of the aforementioned four players ahead of Sale in ERA, only one is in the top nine for WHIP (Estrada – 0.98). In strikeouts, two are in the top 10, with only Salazar ahead of Sale by three. Not to mention Sale finds himself first in wins with nine.

There are four solid candidates at this point in the season: Hill, Salazar, Estrada and Sale. However, Sale has been the most reliable for his team, going deep into games and posting the best all-around stat line.

On a 29-28 Chicago White Sox team, Sale has been a huge bright spot, as he has always been. His dominant performance to date should earn him the starting nod in his fifth All-Star selection.

Next: National League's Ace