One night after New York Mets first baseman Pete Alonso defended his Home Run Derby title, the best of the American League and National League will be on display in the 2021 MLB All-Star Game at Coors Field.
Overseeing the AL roster is Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash, who elected to start Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani.
“I was actually not expecting to be chosen as a pitcher at all, but to be named the starter, I was really not expecting that at all,” Ohtani said. “But it’s a huge honor and I’m going to try my best.
Ohtani went 4-1 with a 3.49 ERA and collected 87 strikeouts in 67 innings across 13 starts during the first half of the season. He’s expected to throw an inning or two and will be allowed to remain in the game as the designated hitter.
L.A. Dodgers skipper Dave Roberts is managing the NL for the third time since 2018. He mulled over several pitchers to start but ultimately decided on Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer.
“It’s an incredible feeling, to be named to this All-Star Game, and now my fourth chance to start it, it’s an incredible honor,” Scherzer said. “When you step into a room with a room full of All-Stars, and you get the ball, it’s a really special feeling.
“It’s hard to put into words. For Dave to select me again, to give that honor to me with the quality of arms that are in the National League this year, I’m very blessed and very thankful for that opportunity.”
Scherzer pitched to a 7-4 record, 2.66 ERA, 3.31 FIP and 0.88 WHIP with 134 strikeouts against 22 walks in 98 innings during the first half of the season (17 starts).
There were a record amount of replacements named to the 2021 All-Star Game due to multiple players backing out for various reasons. Tim Anderson, Whit Merrifield, Joey Wendle replaced Carlos Correa, Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley, respectively, for AL position players reserves.
Cedric Mullins additionally replaced Mike Trout in the AL starting lineup. As for the pitching staff, Chris Bassitt, Andrew Kittredge and Taylor Rogers took the spot of Ryan Pressly, Gerrit Cole and Yusei Kikuchi, respectively.
For the NL, Justin Turner, Yadier Molina and Manny Machado replaced Mookie Betts, Buster Posey and Ronald Acuña Jr. Molina, however, was replaced by Omar Narvaez after sustaining an injury.
Replacing Posey in the NL starting lineup is J.T. Realmuto. Bryan Reynolds additionally entered the lineup in place of Acuña.
In terms of the pitching staff, Taijuan Walker, Freddy Peralta, Walker Buehler and Scherzer replace Jacob DeGrom, Brandon Woodruff, Yu Darvish and Kevin Gausman, respectively.
The AL All-Stars look to make it eight victories in a row against the NL.
NL starting lineup
SS: Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres; first)
DH: Max Muncy (Dodgers; second)
3B: Nolan Arenado (Cardinals; sixth)
1B: Freddie Freeman (Braves; fifth)
RF: Nick Castellanos (Reds; first)
LF: Jesse Winker (Reds; first)
C: J.T. Realmuto (Phillies; third)
CF: Bryan Reynolds (Pirates; first)
2B: Adam Frazier (Pirates; first)
NL reserves
C: Yadier Molina (Cardinals; tenth)
C: Omar Narvaez (Brewers; first)
C: Buster Posey (Giants; seventh)
2B: Ozzie Albies (Braves; second)
2B: Jake Cronenworth (Padres; first)
3B: Kris Bryant (Cubs; fourth)
3B: Eduardo Escobar (Diamondbacks; first)
3B: Manny Machado (Padres; fifth)
3B: Justin Turner (Dodgers; second)
SS: Brandon Crawford (Giants; third)
SS: Trea Turner (Nationals; first)
OF: Ronald Acuña Jr. (Braves; second)
OF: Mookie Betts (Dodgers; fifth)
OF: Kyle Schwarber (Nationals; first)
OF: Juan Soto (Nationals; first)
OF: Chris Taylor (Dodgers; first)
NL pitchers
SP: Walker Buehler (Dodgers; second)
SP: Corbin Burnes (Brewers; first)
SP: Yu Darvish (Padres; fifth)
SP: Jacob deGrom (Mets; fourth)
SP: Kevin Gausman (Giants; first)
RP: Josh Hader (Brewers; third)
RP: Craig Kimbrel (Cubs; eighth)
SP: German Marquez (Rockies; first)
RP: Mark Melancon (Padres; fourth)
SP: Freddy Peralta (Brewers; first)
RP: Alex Reyes (Cardinals; first)
SP: Trevor Rogers (Marlins; first)
SP: Max Scherzer (Nationals; eighth)
SP: Taijuan Walker (Mets; first)
SP: Zack Wheeler (Phillies; first)
SP: Brandon Woodruff (Brewers; second)
AL starting lineup
DH/SP: Shohei Ohtani (Angels; first)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays; first)
SS: Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox; third)
RF: Aaron Judge (Yankees; third)
3B: Rafael Devers (Red Sox; first)
2B: Marcus Semien (Blue Jays; first)
C: Salvador Perez (Royals; seventh)
LF: Teoscar Hernandez (Blue Jays; first)
CF: Cedric Mullins (Orioles; first)
AL reserves
C: Mike Zunino (Rays; first)
1B: Matt Olson (Athletics; first)
1B: Jared Walsh (Angels; first)
2B: Jose Altuve (Astros; seventh)
2B: Whit Merrifield (Royals; second)
3B: Jose Ramirez (Indians; third)
3B: Joey Wendle (Rays; first)
SS: Bo Bichette (Blue Jays; first)
SS: Tim Anderson (White Sox; first)
SS: Carlos Correa (Astros; second)
OF: Michael Brantley (Astros; fifth)
OF: Joey Gallo (Rangers; second)
OF: Adolis Garcia (Rangers; first)
OF: Mike Trout (Angels; ninth)
DH: Nelson Cruz (Twins; seventh)
DH: J.D. Martinez (Red Sox; fourth)
AL pitchers
RP: Matt Barnes (Red Sox; first)
SP: Chris Bassitt (Athletics; first)
SP: Shane Bieber (Indians; second)
RP: Aroldis Chapman (Yankees; seventh)
SP: Gerrit Cole (Yankees; fourth)
SP: Nathan Eovaldi (Red Sox; first)
SP: Kyle Gibson (Rangers; first)
RP: Liam Hendriks (White Sox; second)
SP: Yusei Kikuchi (Mariners; first)
RP: Andrew Kittredge (Rays; first)
SP: Lance Lynn (White Sox; second)
RP: Ryan Pressly (Astros; second)
SP: Carlos Rodon (White Sox; first)
RP: Taylor Rogers (Twins; first)
RP: Gregory Soto (Tigers; first)
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