Lance Lynn Doesn't Think It's Cool For Shohei Ohtani to be Named All-Star Starting Pitcher

Chicago White Sox pitcher Lance Lynn doesn't agree with two-way star Shohei Ohtani being named the starting pitcher for the American League All-Stars tomorrow night. Does he think people are anxious to watch him instead?

Shohei Ohtani not best choice to start for AL in All-Star Game, #WhiteSox’ Lance Lynn says, by @CST_soxvan - https://t.co/kAfyren0Lv pic.twitter.com/LRXfxrVsDl

— Sun-Times Sports (@suntimes_sports) July 12, 2021

In fact, he does. He told the Chicago Sun-Times, “I mean, half the innings as anybody else, to start the game is probably not the best [choice] among the players. There are quite a few people who’ve had better first halves, for sure.”

That could be, but Ohtani is the face of major league baseball right now. He's having a season that literally hasn't been seen since Babe Ruth. Which generally means that nobody alive has ever seen it. 

He became the first-ever player selected to the All-Star Game as both a pitcher and a hitter. (We'll give the Babe a pass here, since the Midsummer Classic didn't come into existence until 1933, when Ruth was well past his prime).

Safe to say that nobody is tuning in at 7:30pm ET Tuesday night to watch Lance Lynn pitch. Despite his impressive career-best season featuring a 9-3 record and a 1.99 ERA.

Indeed, Ohtani has risen to international prominence mostly off his bat, as he leads the majors with 33 home runs. But he's doing it while also being the best pitcher on the Los Angeles Angels staff, with a 4-1 record and a 3.49 ERA. 

Lynn was aware enough to acknowledge, "MLB obviously wants to do their thing and it is a game that means nothing now. So whatever makes the fans happy.”

Yes, watching Shohei Ohtani start the All-Star Game on the mound, and show off his offensive prowess at the plate, would definitely make the fans happy. Thanks, Lance.

Photo Credit: Tim Heitman-USA TODAY Sports