Kuroda Should Be An All-Star

Assuming there aren't any last minute roster changes, the All-Star Game rosters are set and ready to go for Tuesday's game at Citi field. Robinson Cano and Mariano Rivera will be representing the Yankees, but there's one deserving player that won't be joining them: Hiroki Kuroda.

Kuroda has been the Yankees most consistent starter this season and for the most part, he's been the overall ace of the staff.

His 8-6 record might not look very all-star worthy, but in at least half of his six losses, he's pitched well enough to get the win. The only thing stopping him from that is the poor run support he's been given lately.

When it was announced early Sunday morning that American League manager Jim Leyland would name three replacement pitcher to the all-star roster, I thought for sure that Kuroda would have a great chance being named to the team.

But sadly, Leyland decided that Chris Tillman would give him a better chance to win the game. Grant Balfour and Greg Holland were also named to the team, but I have no problem with that because both were deserving players.

As far as Kuroda's stats go, there isn't anything that tells me shouldn't be pitching Tuesday night.

Kuroda's 2.65 ERA ranks second behind only Felix Hernandez's 2.53. His .227 opponents batting average against is good enough for 7th in the American League, and his 1.05 WHIP ranks him 5th. Clearly there's nothing in the numbers that suggest he's not an all-star.

While the Yankees may have plenty of all-stars on the DL this season, there will still be two Yankees playing at Citi Field on Tuesday. But when it comes down to who else should be there, Hiroki Kuroda is on the top of that list.

Question: Do you think Hiroki Kuroda should be an all-star?

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