NEWSLETTER
Tonight, the National League will take on the American League in the 89th annual MLB All-Star Game from Nationals Park in Washington D.C. And for the second season in a row, we’re getting a repeat matchup on the mound:
Chris Sale and Max Scherzer will start the MLB All-Star Game for the second year in a row.
It's the second time in All-Star Game history that the same pitchers started consecutive years, joining Red Ruffing and Paul Derringer in 1939-40. pic.twitter.com/bPZnQzt15B
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 16, 2018
This is actually Sale’s third All-Star start in a row, which apparently ties a record set by Robin Roberts back in 1953-1955. That’s pretty bada**.
As for the lineups, it sure seems like the American League as the on-paper advantage, because I’m not sure you can really pick a better first three hitters than Mookie Betts, Jose Altuve, and Mike Trout. That’s just … wow. But the National League has a few secrets of their own, including lead-off man Javy Baez.
Baez always seems to let go even more than usual during these sort of exhibition events (remember the World Baseball Classic?), so I can’t wait to see what he does tonight. As for why he’s leading off, NL Manager Dave Roberts cited his energy, which, yeah, okay. Willson Contreras, batting ninth tonight, is buying it: “They’re going to see how exciting it is to watch Javier Baez leading off the game, how he does something magic like he always does in the game,” Contreras said. “Javier Baez is just amazing.” Indeed, he is.
Remember, Kyle Schwarber was just participating in the HR Derby and Jon Lester is not pitching tonight, so Contreras and Baez are it for the Cubs. Watch them early, watch them often and let’s hope they do something memorable.
Game Info
National League v. American League – 6:30 CT on FOX
Starting Pitchers
NL: Max Scherzer (R): 2.41 ERA, 2.80 FIP, 5.35 K/BB
versus
AL: Chris Sale (L): 2.23 ERA, 2.17 FIP, 6.06 K/BB
National League Lineup:
- Javy Baez, 2B
- Nolan Arenado, 3B
- Paul Goldschmidt, DH
- Freddie Freeman, 1B
- Matt Kemp, LF
- Bryce Harper, CF
- Nick Markakis, RF
- Brandon Crawford, SS
- Willson Contreras, C
American League Lineup
- Mookie Betts, RF
- Jose Altuve, 2B
- Mike Trout, CF
- J.D. Martinez, DH
- Jose Ramirez, 3B
- Aaron Judge, LF
- Manny Machado, SS
- Jose Abreu, 1B
- Salvado Perez, C
