Ohtani Leads National League Lineup at All-Star Game in Atlanta

Shohei Ohtani will take the leadoff spot for the National League during the All-Star Game at Truist Park in Atlanta on July 9, 2024. The announcement came from Dave Roberts, manager of the Los Angeles Dodgers. Ohtani will be followed in the batting order by the Atlanta Braves’ left fielder Ronald Acuña Jr. and Arizona Diamondbacks second baseman Ketel Marte.

The full batting order for the National League includes Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers at first base, Manny Machado from the San Diego Padres at third base, Will Smith, also a Dodger, as catcher, Kyle Tucker of the Chicago Cubs in right field, Francisco Lindor from the New York Mets at shortstop, and Pete Crow-Armstrong, also from the Cubs, in center field.

American League Stars Ready to Shine

On the other side, the American League will feature Gleyber Torres from the Detroit Tigers leading off, followed by his teammate Riley Greene. Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees will bat third, with Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners in the cleanup position. The lineup also includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr. from the Toronto Blue Jays, Ryan O’Hearn of the Baltimore Orioles, Junior Caminero from the Tampa Bay Rays, Javy Báez of the Tigers, and Jacob Wilson from the Oakland Athletics.

Pitching for the National League will be Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who is set to make his second consecutive All-Star start. Skenes currently leads the league with a remarkable 2.01 ERA and has notched 131 strikeouts this season. He boasts an average fastball velocity of 98.2 mph, ranking first among pitchers with over 1,500 pitches this season, according to MLB Statcast.

Making his All-Star debut as a starter, Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers will pitch for the American League. Skubal, the reigning AL Cy Young Award winner, has a record of 10-3 with a 2.23 ERA, striking out 153 batters in 121 innings this season.

Historic Performance and Expectations

Ohtani’s role as leadoff hitter is notable as he has filled this position in previous All-Star Games, specifically in 2021 and 2022. Last year, he was positioned as the second hitter. His dynamic skill set has made him one of the league’s most exciting players. Roberts praised both Skenes and Skubal, highlighting their talent and potential to become prominent faces in baseball for years to come.

The All-Star Game is not just a showcase of individual talents but also a celebration of the sport itself, bringing together the best players from both leagues in a competitive yet festive atmosphere. Fans eagerly await the spectacle, which highlights the remarkable skills and athleticism that define Major League Baseball.