The 2022 MLB All-Star Game is just a day away- and excitement is mounting for the Midsummer Classic. The pitching matchup is set, with Tampa Bay Rays ace Shane McClanahan set to toe the rubber for the American League against Los Angeles Dodgers southpaw Clayton Kershaw, who will be pitching for the National League. It's the first time that both Kershaw and McClanahan will be starting the All-Star Game.

Many fans will be seeing McClanahan pitch for the first time. Consider American League manager Dusty Baker among such fans. Baker was asked about his American League starter. His response was hilarious, per Jeff Passan of ESPN.

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker said that he's “never seen Shane McClanahan pitch.” Of course, that was an eyebrow-raising- and comical- response. An American League manager having never seen the frontrunner for the Cy Young award pitch?

Baker has, in fact, seen McClanahan pitch, as pointed out by Passan. The Tampa Bay Rays hurler appeared in a 2021 ALCS game against the Astros as a reliever. So, to be fair to Baker, he's seen him pitch, just not this version of McClanahan, who has led the league in ERA en route to his first MLB All-Star game.

Shane McClanahan is a far cry from the pitcher who allowed three runs in nearly two innings of relief against the Astros in the playoffs. He's a legitimate ace that Baker will get to deploy in the MLB All-Star Game.

And yes, Dusty Baker will finally get to see Shane McClanahan pitch for real.