It’s the first time the rookie awards went to two pitchers since 2011, when Tampa Bay starter Jeremy Hellickson and Atlanta closer Craig Kimbrel won.

It’s the first time the rookie awards went to two pitchers since 2011. Red Sox right fielder Wilyer Abreu finished sixth among the seven AL players to receive a vote.

But the game featured an intriguing matchup within the matchup: Two starting pitchers with vastly different backgrounds and histories who just so happened to be leading contenders for the Rookie of the Year Award in their respective leagues to the mound opposite each other.