McClanahan Continues To Build His Case For AL Starting Pitcher In The All Star Game

BY LILY BELCHER

The Wednesday night 4-1 victory over the Red Sox wasn’t anything special on the surface. It wasn’t a blow out or a shut out or even a game filled with homeruns. But it was, by all means, a morale booster, putting the young Tampa team within reach of a four game sweep of the Red Sox.

But what stood out the most was another solid performance by Rays ace and All-Star Shane McClanahan. As the young USF grad took the mound for game three against the Red Sox, the rest of MLB watched and debated who should get the start in the Midsummer Classic: Shane McClanahan or Astros veteran Justin Verlander.

Verlander, 14 years McClanahan’s senior, makes a good case for the starting role (especially since Astros Manager Dusty Baker will coach the All Star Game), but McClanahan has a lower ERA, more strikeouts, more innings pitched, and a higher strikeout-to-walk ratio. McClanahan, by all means, should be named American League Starting Pitcher.

“Sugar Shane,” as he is called by fans and coaches, tossed his seventh consecutive start pitching at least six innings with six strikeouts AND giving up one run or less and four hits or less-the longest streak in baseball history.

“I thought it was a good performance, battled a good team. They’ve seen me play quite a bit over the last couple of years,” said McClanahan.

This heightened pressure on McClanahan (and the rest of the Rays) to stay healthy has led to a very cautious training staff. During the third, McClanahan landed on his left foot awkwardly with a grimace. Kevin Cash quickly came out alongside a trainer to check on the ace, who laughed and promised he was fine before they reached the mound. Still, McClanahan threw a pitch to prove to the trainers he really was fine.

He admitted in the post-game press conference that it did sting and the trainers had every right to come out to check on him, but he brushed off concerns that he would join the rest of the Rays on the injured list.

After being relieved by Adam with one out in the seventh, McClanahan received a standing ovation by Rays fans and tipped his caps to the cheering crowd that expects to see him on the bump at the start of the All Star game.

“It was pretty cool,” the 25-year-old left hander said about the crowd’s response. “I definitely want to thank them all for coming out and supporting us. It’s been a tough year so far with us with a lot of injuries, but we’re still trying to come here and battle every day.”

The Rays will host the Red Sox in the final game of a four-game set Thursday night at 7:10.

Should McClanahan Get The AL Start

• Yes
• No