ATLANTA — Shohei Ohtani will take the leadoff spot as the designated hitter for the National League during Tuesday night’s All-Star Game at Truist Park. The Los Angeles Dodgers star will be followed in the batting order by Atlanta Braves left fielder Ronald Acuña Jr., who is playing in front of his home crowd.
National League Batting Order Includes Top Performers
Dodgers manager Dave Roberts announced the full National League lineup Monday. Arizona’s second baseman Ketel Marte will bat third, followed by Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and San Diego third baseman Manny Machado. The order continues with Dodgers catcher Will Smith, Chicago Cubs right fielder Kyle Tucker, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor, and Cubs center fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong rounding out the starting hitters.
Starting Pitchers for Both Leagues
Major League Baseball confirmed that Pittsburgh right-hander Paul Skenes will start his second consecutive All-Star Game for the National League. For the American League, Detroit lefty Tarik Skubal will make his first All-Star starting appearance.
Roberts Highlights the Star Power Leading the Game
I think when you’re talking about the game, where it’s at, these two guys … are guys that you can root for, are super talented, are going to be faces of this game for years to come,
Roberts said.
American League Lineup Features Strong Contact Hitters
The American League lineup will be led off by Detroit second baseman Gleyber Torres, followed by Tigers left fielder Riley Greene. The order includes New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge, Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh, Toronto first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Baltimore designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn, Tampa Bay third baseman Junior Caminero, Tigers center fielder Javy Báez, and Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson.
Ohtani’s Previous Roles in All-Star Games
Shohei Ohtani led off for the American League in the 2021 All-Star Game, serving both as the starting pitcher and leadoff hitter. In 2022, he again hit leadoff, then moved to the No. 2 spot in 2023. Last year, after joining the Dodgers, Ohtani was the second hitter for the National League.
Pitchers Skenes and Skubal Show Exceptional Velocity
Skenes and Skubal rank first and second, respectively, for average four-seam fastball velocity among pitchers with at least 1,500 pitches this season, according to MLB Statcast. Skenes throws at 98.2 mph while Skubal’s fastball averages 97.6 mph.
Performance and Stats of All-Star Starting Pitchers
At 23 years old, Paul Skenes has compiled a 4-8 record but boasts the Major League’s best ERA at 2.01 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, despite the team struggling at the bottom of the NL Central. He has recorded 131 strikeouts and issued only 30 walks across 131 innings.
Tarik Skubal, the reigning American League Cy Young Award winner, has a 10-3 record this season, with a 2.23 ERA. The 28-year-old left-hander has tallied 153 strikeouts while walking only 16 in 121 innings.
Significance of Ohtani Leading Off and Game Outlook
Shohei Ohtani’s return to the leadoff spot for the National League reflects his unique status as both a hitter and pitcher and his continued impact on the game. Batting ahead of Ronald Acuña Jr. provides an exciting showcase of two of the sport’s most dynamic players. The performances of Skenes and Skubal also highlight a pitching matchup between rising and established stars. This All-Star Game at Truist Park offers fans a glimpse of baseball’s current and future elite talents, promising an engaging contest and a celebration of the sport’s top performers.
Our Reader’s Queries
Q. Is Shohei Ohtani the only 50/50?
A. Shohei Ohtani is the only player in the 50/50 club.