To follow up on the National League All-Star Pitching Staff, here is the 2008 American League All-Star Pitching Staff.
These pitchers have to deal with the highly potent lineups in the AL thanks largely to the DH, yet they still managed to post impressive records, ERAs, and strikeouts.
Just like the NL, the list is compiled of five starters, four relief pitchers including the closer, and the pitcher chosen for the Cy Young Award.
Starting Rotation
Cliff Lee
2.54 ERA 22-3 in 31 games, four complete games, 170 strikeouts
Cliff Lee surprised not only players in the American League, but all of baseball with his dominating season, especially after going 5-8 the season before.
Lee has an arsenal of pitches. He throws a four seam, two seam, and a cut fastball, as well as a circle change and a slider. He isn't a big strikeout pitcher, but his pitches induce a lot of ground balls which allows him to be economical.
Cliff was the starting pitcher for the AL in the 2008 All-Star game and pitched two shutout innings.
Roy Halladay
2.78 ERA 20-11 in 34 games, nine complete games, 206 strikeouts
Roy Halladay, or as he is more commonly known "Doc" Halladay has been dominating the AL for the past several years. He is known for going deep into games and driving opposing hitters crazy.
Halladay throws a four and two seam fastball that tops out in the mid 90s, along with a curve, cutter, and change up. He has recently changed his approach to become more like a ground ball pitcher, which is also a reason he has so many complete games.
Mike Mussina
3.37 ERA 20-9 in 34 games, 150 strikeouts
Mike Mussina reinvented himself in 2008. At 39, he found a way to get hitters out without throwing in the 90s.
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about 1 month ago
Great list.... It was a good year for AL pitchers!
about 1 month ago
Thanks Scott! It was tough narrowing down the list, and that says a lot for the pitchers in the AL.
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