Hughes over Andy?

Every year that MLB announces it’s All Star Game rosters, there are always a few selections that raise some eyebrows and this year was no different. Joey Votto absence from the National League roster had many fans scratching their heads, and in the American League the selection of Phil Hughes over Andy Pettitte had some fans crying foul. So lets take a look at both pitcher’s first halves of the 2010 campaign, and see how they stack up against each other.

Phil Hughes

Andy Pettitte

While both pitchers have been remarkable similar in many categories, Andy’s allowing a full run less in ERA should give him the nod. All of this may be moot, however. With CC Sabathia scheduled to pitch on Sunday, he will be ineligible to pitch in the All Star Game. That means he will need to be replaced on the active roster, and Girardi hinted after yesterday’s game that he will select Andy to take CCs place. Since managers select the Pitchers, I have a feeling that much of this was by design. We all know that Girardi is very detail oriented, and I’ll bet he wanted to give Phil a boost of confidence by selecting him to the first team, knowing that Andy would understand and that CC was pitching Sunday.

NOTE: It’s too soon for another edition of “Keeping up with the ex-Yanks” but Arodys Vizcaino has been placed on the DL with a partially torn elbow ligament. No surgery will be needed at this time, but he will miss at least 6 weeks. With the minor league season ending in late August, that means his season is over.