Moose impresses but not an All-Star

I'll be the first to admit it: After his dismal 2007 and his first few starts of 2008, I thought Moose was done. But, he's taken a page out of the Maddux Pitching Manual and has evolved into a different pitcher.

Let that be the lesson: It's not the speed, it's the location and the CHANGING of speed.

Without a fastball that can reach 90 mph any longer, Moose has gone the opposite direction, going slow, slower and even slower (that looping 63 mph eephus-like knuckle-curve or whatever it is).

Moose had a good night last night, lasting 6 IP, surrendering 5 hits while striking out 6 and walking just one. He looks confident, calm. Now, the YES Network guys, mostly Michael Kay, are claiming that Moose is an all-star this year, but with all due respect to his 9 wins, Moose is not an AL all-star pitcher. His ERA (4.01) ranks just 25th in the AL. Yes, his 9 wins has him tied for first but most sane minds can recognize that wins are not the single best barometer.

If I had to pick six-seven starters for the all-star game, my choices would be:

1. Cliff Lee (9-1, 2.45 ERA) *starter*
2. Dice-K (8-0, 2.53 ERA)
3. Roy Halladay (7-5, 2.94 ERA)
4. Joe Saunders (9-2, 2.63 ERA)
5. Ervin Santana (8-2, 3.02 ERA)
6. Shaun Marcum (5-3, 2.63 ERA)
7. Javy Vazquez (5-4, 3.43)

Data source: ESPN.com

Interesting that the logical big-name guys (Beckett, Sabathia, Verlander, Bedard) are not having great years. Beckett's doing well and I think he could easily be on this list (6-4, 4.07 ERA, 80 K in 73 IP) but his ERA ranks him one behind Moose. I also think King Felix, despite a poor 3-5 record, albeit with a nice 3.29 ERA, could be on the team if Ichiro is not voted a starter. I would have also pegged Wang an all-star but the last month has not been kind to him. Go figure.

Who would you put on this list and who would you take off?