Of course, there is Justin Verlander, the five-time All-Star who won both the MVP and Cy Young Award last year. Considered by many to be the best active arm in the game, Verlander would usually be a no-brainer for the starting job, if it weren't for the fierce competition and the fact that he's having a down year.
Another option is three-time All-Star David Price of Tampa Bay. With a 2.92 ERA and an impressive 11-4 record, Price is certainly a top contender for the job. Price was the American League All-Star starting pitcher in his second season in the big leagues, so this type of pressure wouldn't be anything new to the young southpaw.
And who could forget about Felix Hernandez? In his third All-Star appearance, Hernandez would make for an ominous presence on the mound. He was the Cy Young winner in 2010 and has a 3.09 ERA with 114 strikeouts this season.
But perhaps it's time to give someone new a chance. White Sox lefty Chris Sale is appearing in his first All-Star game, and with 2.27 ERA and a 9-2 record, he could be the new face of American League pitching. Maybe it's time to give the All-Star rookie a chance to carry an offense-heavy AL squad to victory in this year's interleague competition.
Other starters include C.J. Wilson of the Los Angeles Angels, a talented pitcher with a 2.33 ERA and a 9-4 record, and Matt Harrison of the Texas Rangers (11-3, 3.16 ERA).
