Hometown pitcher Matt Harvey (7-2, 2.35 ERA) of the Mets gets the ball for the National League and will be going up against Max Schrezer (13-1, 3.19 ERA) of the Tigers for the 2013 All Star Game. Harvey has been the bright spot for the Mets this season in an otherwise forgetful first half. He leads the NL with 147 strikeouts and his Whip is a measly 0.92, second best in the NL. The Mets phenom will be the first pitcher to start a Midsummer Classic at his home ballpark since 2004
Schrezer has also been nothing short of impressive all season, he is second in the AL with 152 strikeouts, he has a Whip of 0.98 and his 13 wins leads the American League. He suffered his first loss of the season on Sunday night when the Tigers fell to the Rangers.
This years All Star Game is a preview into baseball’s future as each roster is filled with young, emerging talent from the league. Matt Harvey of the Mets is 24 and his first pitch will be thrown to the 21 year old outfielder from the Angels, Mike Trout. Each team at each position is sprinkled with up and coming talent from Manny Machado to Bryce Harper.
“These guys coming up have incredible talent,” said National League manager Bruce Bochy. ” They are really changing the game and are impressive to watch. I think they are just getting better, faster, bigger stronger still and it’s impressive to watch these guys.”
Machado and Trout have the honors of being the youngest at 21 years old and Mariano Rivera has the honors of being the old, wise veteran at 43 years old. Rivera not only represents the oldest player in the Midsummer Classic, he also represents the last 42 you will ever see in an All Star Game.
With 30 saves in 32 chances and a 1.83 ERA in his farewell season for the Yankees, Rivera is still the best and his age has not slowed him down. “I think it would be probably the most beautiful touch in the world if we could somehow get a lead on the National League and play the ninth inning with the greatest closer of all time coming out of the bullpen,” American League manager Jim Leyland said. If not? “You can rest assured, he will be on the mound at some point and you will see him pitch, whether it be to a hitter, an inning,” Leyland said. “You will see No. 42 pitch.”
Rivera has thrown eight scoreless innings in All Star games and has a record four saves. “It’s not emotional yet,” he said. “Now, that could change by tomorrow.”
Game kicks off at 8:00 PM on Fox
