Too Classy To Start Verlander?

The All-Star Game is fast approaching and it looks like there will be quite a few Tigers making an appearance at this year's game in San Fransisco. Pudge Rodriguez and Placido Polanco are looking as if they will be voted in by the fans, while Magglio Ordonez is fourth in AL Outfielder balloting (because fans are idiots) and will almost certainly be named to the team by Jim Leyland.

Of course, there are cases that can be made for at least three other Tiger position players who aren't even close to being voted in. Carlos Guillen is batting .324 and having yet another outstanding season at shortstop for the Tigs. Gary Sheffield leads the team in stolen bases and has raised his average to .295 after an incredibly rough April, while Curtis Granderson didn't even make the ballot, yet is batting .284 and looking like a Gold Glove candidate in centerfield.

The pitching staffs are named by the managers and coaching staffs of each league, and with Jim Leyland leading the AL, it seems as if at least one Tiger pitcher will make the team. Justin Verlander looks to be that guy, dominating with a 9-2 record, a 2.78 ERA, 85 strikeouts and a no-hitter to boot. Jeremy Bonderman might also be thrown into the game, based on his 9-0 record and 4.01 ERA.

Since Verlander is becoming one of the stand out pitchers in the American League, it begs the question: should he start the All-Star game? John Loe of the Free Press certainly thinks so, but this calls in a question of morality- is it wrong for Jim Leyland to name one of his own pitchers the starter in the All-Star game?

Anyone who has remotely followed the Tigers' during Leyland's tenure knows that he is one classy individual. The man is basically a god. While Verlander definitely makes a solid candidate for that starting role, Kenny Rogers started the game for the AL last year and having two Tigers start the All Star game in a row might take away from other pitchers, such as, and mainly, Josh Beckett, from having the sort of spot light they deserve for their performances.

Beckett has been having a great year, no doubt about it. He's 11-1 with a 3.11 ERA and 79 strikeouts. Verlander might edge him out on ERA and strikeout numbers, but Beckett's performance this year shows a marked improvement from where he was last year in his first year with Boston. What we're seeing from Justin is pretty much what we expected, while Beckett has been exceeding expectations that pretty much put him down as a failed trade for the BoSox after last season's disappointing finish. Usually the role of starting the game comes down to how much rest each pitcher has had coming into the game, and Beckett and Verlander should off-set with plenty of rest for each.

As great as Justin has been, and as great as he's going to be, this year should be Beckett's to start. The last thing the Tigers' need is a ton of national attention for Jim Leyland supposedly playing favorites, even if Verlander might come through as the starter on a subjective basis as well. Plus, if it means tiring out Beckett a little bit more for that wild-card spot, I'm all for it. If Justin gets the nod, I won't be complaining, but Beckett probably should, if only because Leyland is that kind of guy.