It's been quite the first half of the season for both the San Francisco Giants' Matt Cain as well as the New York Mets' R.A. Dickey. Both have had tons of success in their own way on the mound so far this year, but now the question persists. Just which one do you have start the All-Star game?
So far Cain is 9-3 with a 2.62 ERA, 0.96 WHIP, 118 strikeouts, an eight game winnings streak, and oh yeah, a perfect game. His last outing wasn't too much to brag about after giving up the Giants momentum with a pair of solo homers to get the Nats back in the game, and evenutally come back and win.
As for Dickey, he is 12-1 with a 2.40 ERA, 0.93 WHIP, 123 strikeouts, back-to-back complete game one-hitters and about the nastiest knuckleball known to mankind. He gave up five runs on 11 hits in seven innings of work his last time out against the Phillies, taking a no decision.
If it wasn't for the perfecto, which just so happened to be one of the best pitched games in the history of the sport, Cain would easily be second fiddle to Dickey as the starter. But that one little variation will give NL manager Tony La Russa a lot to think about.
Either way, Cain or Dickey will be throwing to Buster Posey, which will certainly but a simple on Giants fans faces. Posey's lack of experience with a knuckleballer might also tip the scale a bit in Cain's favor as well, but you just never know.
For more on the Giants, head over to McCovey Chronicles.
