SAN DIEGO — Several days before Johnny Cueto was positive he’d be starting the All-Star Game, he already knew what, or more specifically, who, excited him most about the possibility: Buster Posey.
The Giants’ catcher had already won the fan vote to start for the National League. It was just a matter of who he’d be catching, whether it be Cueto or another All-Star.
“It’d be the best,” Cueto said a week ago when asked about throwing to Posey in the All-Star Game.
The battery mates have teamed up in 16 of Cueto’s 18 starts, and will do so once again in Tuesday’s All-Star Game at 5 p.m. This time though, Matt Duffy, Brandon Crawford, Joe Panik and Brandon Belt won’t be playing behind the right-hander. The Cubs’ infield will instead. Cueto didn’t seem fazed by that aspect of his All-Star Game start, or that he, the major-league leader in innings pitched, will throw only two innings at Petco Park on Tuesday night.
Cueto’s just happy to be throwing to a familiar receiver, and with good reason. In the 16 games Posey’s caught Cueto, the right-hander has a 2.22 ERA and opponents are hitting only .217.
“It’s big,” Cueto said through interpreter Erwin Higueros on Monday about Posey catching him. “It means a lot. I’m very happy with him and I’m getting used to him. It means a lot to have him behind the plate.”
The excitement was reciprocated by Posey, who also caught Matt Cain when he started the 2012 All-Star Game. Cain allowed one hit in his two innings at Kauffman Stadium, and even earned the win as the only NL pitcher to throw multiple innings.
Cueto looks to pull off the same feat, but will be tasked with carving through at least six impressive hitters. At minimum, he’ll face Jose Altuve, Mike Trout, Manny Machado, David Ortiz, Xander Boagaerts and Eric Hosmer. It also doesn’t help that Cueto has a 6.50 ERA in the first inning, by far his most damaging frame.
But Posey is expecting the full show from Cueto, including a variety of “non-standard pitches.” The shoulder-shake will be out in full force, and Posey’s just along for the ride.
“He’s an entertainer,” Posey said. “This is definitely a good stage to entertain on.”
