In our final installment, we turn our attention to American League pitchers. As with the NL, I'm picking 5 starters and 3 relievers.
Starting Pitchers
1st Inning: Cliff Lee, Seattle Mariners
3rd Inning: Zach Greinke, Kansas City Royals
4th Inning: Justin Verlander, Detroit Tigers
5th Inning: Felix Hernandez, Seattle Mariners
6th Inning: Jon Lester, Boston Red Sox
| Name | Org | FIP | K/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 |
| Cliff Lee | SEA | 3.23 | 7.1 | 1.7 | 0.6 |
| Zack Greinke | KCA | 3.40 | 8.5 | 2.2 | 0.8 |
| Justin Verlander | DET | 3.61 | 8.7 | 3.0 | 0.8 |
| Felix Hernandez | SEA | 3.63 | 8.2 | 3.0 | 0.7 |
| Jon Lester | BOS | 3.69 | 8.5 | 3.1 | 0.7 |
| CC Sabathia | NYA | 3.70 | 7.7 | 2.4 | 0.9 |
| Phil Hughes | NYA | 3.72 | 8.6 | 3.2 | 0.9 |
| Colby Lewis | TEX | 3.79 | 7.9 | 2.4 | 1.0 |
| Josh Beckett | BOS | 3.83 | 8.3 | 2.3 | 1.0 |
| Javier Vazquez | NYA | 3.85 | 8.7 | 2.6 | 1.1 |
I could be wrong, but I don't see a lot of controversy here. Maybe some would argue about the #1 slot, but Cliff Lee's been nothing short of amazing these past three years. Greinke can't win a game, but that's hardly his fault.
I think it's interesting that three teams own 7 of the top 10 starters.
And way to be Colby Lewis, making the top-10 list despite spending the past few years in Japan! Carson Cistulli must be so proud.
Relief Pitchers
7th Inning: Jonathan Papelbon, Boston Red Sox
8th Inning: Mariano Rivera, New York Yankees
9th Inning: Matt Thornton, Chicago White Sox
| Name | Org | FIP | K/9 | BB/9 | HR/9 |
| Matt Thornton | CHA | 3.08 | 10.0 | 2.9 | 0.7 |
| Mariano Rivera | NYA | 3.23 | 8.8 | 2.1 | 0.8 |
| Jonathan Papelbon | BOS | 3.39 | 9.3 | 2.8 | 0.7 |
| Rafael Soriano | TBA | 3.50 | 9.3 | 3.1 | 0.8 |
| Joakim Soria | KCA | 3.55 | 10.0 | 2.8 | 0.9 |
Wait, what? Thornton, a guy not even the closer on his own team, ranks as the best reliever in the American League? That's what the projections say, folks, don't shoot the messenger. While I do know that he throws in the high-90's, I don't know a lot about his situation...haven't been following the White Sox bullpen beyond knowing that Bobby Jenks doesn't have 100% job security. He has gotten the other two non-Jenks saves this year, though. Part of it could be that he's a lefty--maybe he gets used more often in platoon-advantage situations than the closers on this list, and so his numbers look better.
The rest of the list looks about right. If I were actually managing this team, maybe I'd let Thornton throw in the 7th inning just to not upset Rivera and Papelbon. :)
And that's it folks: your true talent All Stars. It was a fun exercise. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go vote.
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