Ask the All-Stars and they’ll tell you baseball’s new rules are good for the game.

Pitcher Shane McClanahan, the star left-hander who started last year’s game for the American League, likes the shorter games he says are the product of the pitch clock.

“As a player, I don’t want to sit there for four-and-a-half hours unless we win,” he said at T-Mobile Park Monday.

“The game is changing and evolving, though I actually got called for a violation in my first spring training game. “It was before I even threw my first pitch. I wasn’t sure what I had done wrong or what time I had to be done with my warm-up pitches. They got me for ball and I was like ‘Why? What did I do?’ I thought I still had 30 seconds left.

“It’s been a learning process but it’s been good.”

McClanahan, currently on the Injured List with mid-back tightness and unable to pitch in the 93rd All-Star Game tonight, also endorsed the new rule limiting pick-off throws.

“As a lefty,” he explained, “I have a little more of an advantage in holding runners.”

Fellow starter Nathan Eovaldi of the Texas Rangers credited catcher Jonah Heim, also an All-Star.

“I kind of like it,” he said of the pitch clock. “Jonah’s done a great job behind the plate with his pitch-calling and things like that. Earlier in the season it was a little bit of a challenge but I like having quick games, under three hours.

“I know the new pick-off rule has increased stolen bases this year but I don’t mind it.”

Neither does Seattle All-Star Luis Castillo, an All-Star for the second straight season.

Speaking about the pitch clock with the help of an interpreter, he said, “It’s a new rule, one of those where you kind of have to adjust, but it hasn’t hurt me at all. That’s what spring training is for, to prepare. I adjusted well and so far, there’s no problem.”

Spencer Strider, who leads the major leagues in strikeouts, is more philosophical.

“It’s still an adjustment,” he said of the pitch clock. “There are aspects of it that pitchers can exploit and we’re still learning how to navigate.

“I’m a purist when it comes to baseball so I don’t like it necessarily but everybody would agree it was time to kick [the game] in the rear and get it moving. But it will be interesting to see how it affects games down the stretch and in the playoffs.”

The Atlanta right-hander, who became a full-time starter last year, added that he had experience with the pick-off rule in the minors.

“I personally don’t find it interferes with anything I do or think about,” he said. “There are more stolen bases but I don’t think it’s because of [the limitations on] the pick-off rule. Guys are just trying to steal more.”

Bigger bases and shorter distances between them – also new this year – have helped, he said.

“Stealing bases is an aspect of the game that’s starting to grow again and it’s probably good for baseball.”

As a hitter, All-Star first baseman Pete Alonso of the Mets was called for a violation of the pitch clock during an exhibition game in Florida.

“It’s a new day for baseball,” said Alonso, a two-time winner of the Home Run Derby that is part of All-Star Week. “Obviously with the clock, there’s a higher percentage of stolen bases and it’s a more exciting aspect of the game from the fans’ perspective. It was different in spring training when it was introduced but now it’s pretty normal.”

Pitch clock violations not only affect pitchers, who can be charged with a ball, but hitters, who can be charged with a strike if they don’t beat the posted countdown of the clock.

Ronald Acuña, Jr. admitted Monday he’s been caught many times.

The top vote-getter in the fan balloting for the All-Star lineups, the Atlanta right-fielder likes the faster games – and is on pace for a rare 40/40 season in home runs and stolen bases.

“I feel like the flow of the game is going a little better now with the pitch clock,” he said with the help of interpreter Franco Garcia, “but as far as stolen bases are concerned, I feel like there’s a little bit of advantage in stealing the bases. But you have to get on base first to take advantage of it.”

The Venezuelan star, whose English is limited, answered in four words when asked about his own pitch clock violations. “A lot of times,” he said without Garcia’s help.

At least one pitcher thinks the hitters had a tougher time adjusting to the clock.

“Everybody had to make an adjustment,” said Atlanta righty Bryce Elder, who spent most of the first half leading the National League in earned run average after starting the season in the minors.

“I think the hitters are affected more than anybody. They’re rushed too; they can’t call time. The hitters are the best in the whole world making adjustments pitch-to-pitch. They’ve done it well.

“As pitchers, it gives us a sense of urgency out there. I really think the pitch clock is great. I wish there were a little give, though, maybe an extra step-off. I would hate to see Game 7 of NLCS or World Series if something comes up that’s the difference between a 2-1 or 3-1 count. In playoff games, you don’t need them to be quick.”

Elder noted that some new rules – especially the extra-inning controversial “ghost runner” that mandates an automatic runner on second base when games pass nine innings – are not used in the post-season.

“That’s above my pay grade,” the pitcher said with a rueful smile when asked if he liked the rule. “I hope there’s no big situation in the post-season or playoffs that gets affected by that rule.”

Baltimore catcher Adley Rutschman said the passage of time has healed the early rifts with the new rules.

“I feel everyone’s gotten used to them now,” he said. “But spring training was a time of adjustments for both pitchers and catchers trying to get the pace of it. Then the first couple of weeks went a little fast.”

Former catcher Scott Servais, an American League All-Star coach who manages the host Seattle Mariners during the regular season, said his team hasn’t suffered with the new rules.

“Our guys have adjusted pretty well,” he said. “We have the least amount of violations of anybody in baseball. We have a very young team. Our players came out of the minor leagues pretty recently so they’re used to the pitch clock and all it entails. I think our guys have handled it pretty well.”

The Seattle pilot likes the new rules, including restrictions on infield shifts as well as pickoffs.

“I think they’ve been beneficial for the game,” he said. “The first couple of weeks were an adjustment period and I wasn’t that crazy about that. Sometimes things were happening too fast. But like everything in life, you gotta make adjustments. Our players did, our coaching staff did, and I think it’s all good.”

Tonight’s starting pitchers concur.

Yankees ace Gerrit Cole, realizing a dream by drawing the All-Star starting assignment from American League manager Dusty Baker, likes the idea of getting home earlier and spending more time with his young family.

But NL starter Zac Gallen had a different reason for his enthusiasm.

“Last year, when we didn’t have the pitch clock, I didn’t make the All-Star team,” he said. “This year, I did. So I like the new rule.”

The 93rd All-Star Game will be played tonight at T-Mobile Park, where a retractable roof will protect against the potential chill and dampness of the evening. A sell-out is expected at the park, which has a capacity of 47,943.

All-Star Week is projected to generate more than $50 million for the city, county, and State of Washington as well as the team. The Mariners have also hosted the game in 1977, the first season of their existence, and in 2001, when their park was called Safeco Field.