Dodgers: ESPN Analyst Argues Tony Gonsolin Should Not Start the All-Star Game
There are going to be plenty of arguments about who should start the All-Star Game in the coming weeks. And while the Dodgers are set to host the Mid-Summer Classic, that doesn’t mean they’ll have one of their guys starting the game. But the argument can be made.
Obviously, there isn’t a fan out there that wouldn’t like to see Clayton Kershaw get the nod for his first All-Star start. But the Dodgers have another guy that is more than deserving of that honor. Tony Gonsolin is pitching out of his mind, and he has to be up there in the conversation.
Despite that, not everyone is in favor. That includes ESPN’s Jeff Passan, who went on a rant about why it shouldn’t be Tony Gonsolin this afternoon. Passan pointed to the dominance of Miami’s Sandy Alcantara while also putting up far more innings. And he does have a point.
For those suggesting Tony Gonsolin should start the All-Star Game over Sandy Alcántara, I calculated Alcántara's numbers if he were removed from his starts at the time as Gonsolin. They are almost identical. (IP are slightly different; Gonsolin lasted longer in 2 of 15 starts.) pic.twitter.com/GIYcSaS9DF
— Jeff Passan (@JeffPassan) July 6, 2022
Sure, Alcantara has put up 40-plus more innings with just 2 more starts under his belt. The Dodgers don’t exactly have Gonsolin going deep into games. But with the All-Star Game being hosted in Los Angeles, there has to be something to that. But it’s certainly not the only factor.
Scherzer got the start in Atlanta last year without any Braves starters making the game. In 2019, Justin Verlander got the nod over Shane Bieber in Cleveland. So it doesn’t mean that the home team will have a starting pitcher. Still, he has to be under consideration for Brian Snitker. Having a Dodgers pitcher get the start would be incredible.
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Tony should get the start. But then pass on pitching in the All Star game altogether. He is going into lifetime innings and pitches territory and needs to be saved for the postseason.