Joe Girardi has relied on Andy Pettitte to help the Yankees to the best record in baseball, but it sounds like he’ll turn to a division rival to start Tuesday’s All-Star Game.
Girardi would not say who the starting pitcher will be for his American League squad in Anaheim, but seems to be leaning toward the Rays’ David Price.
“When you look at the five pitchers we have going, the five starters, and you have to exclude [Clay] Buchholz because he’s on the DL — Price, [Cliff] Lee, Phil Hughes, Jon Lester, Pettitte. These are all qualified guys,” Girardi said in a conference call.
“You look at who’s on turn. Price is leading the American League in wins. He’s an extremely strong candidate.”
Pettitte would be a sentimental choice to start, since this is his first All-Star Game since 2001, and he could retire after this season. He has been the Yankees’ most consistent starter this season.
Price has an edge in the numbers, though. The young Rays star leads the American League with a 12-4 record and is second to Lee with a 2.42 ERA. Pettitte entered last night’s start in Seattle at 10-2 with a 2.82 ERA.
Girardi and the Yankees’ front office may want to keep Pettitte to just one inning of relief in the game to keep the mileage on his left arm down. The starter in the All-Star Game usually throws two innings.
Pettitte, 38, could be playing in his final All-Star Game. He’s only played in one before. Price, 24, will be playing in his first All-Star Game. Girardi was asked if age would influence who he starts.
“Not necessarily,” he said. “I’ll look at the numbers and who I believe deserves to start the game and we’ll go from there.”
Girardi said he will monitor all of the players under his watch to avoid aggravating any existing injuries.
