SEATTLE. – Nothing has been quite as all-American as the MLB All-Star Game.
The American League enters Tuesday’s (Wednesday in Manila) Midsummer Classic at T-Mobile Park with a nine-game winning streak and only three losses to the National League in the annual exhibition since 1997.
Angels designated hitter Shohei Ohtani won’t pitch in the game because of a blister but is in the lineup batting second. Ohtani leads the majors in home runs (32) and triples (six).
On the mound, Ohtani hits the break fourth in MLB with 132 strikeouts and opponents are batting .189 against him. He started the 2022 All-Star Game and sat down the first three batters he faced in order.
“He’s the most incredible athlete I’ve ever seen playing baseball,” AL manager Dusty Baker said.
With Ohtani unavailable, Yankees right-hander Gerrit Cole (9-2, 2.85 ERA in the first half) was named the AL starter. Cole is a six-time All-Star but last pitched in the game in 2015.
“I’ve been to a few of them and had the pleasure of watching some future Hall of Famers (start),” Cole said. “I’ve always been like, ‘Man, I really hope I can do that one day.”
He’ll go on two days rest after pitching 7 1/3 innings on Saturday and oppose Arizona Diamondbacks right-hander Zac Gallen (11-3, 3.04 ERA).
“Guy has been here five or six times,” Baker said of his decision to turn to Cole ahead of Seattle ace Luis Castillo. “About time he started.”
MLB’s most popular player based on jersey sales, Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., leads the National League lineup after becoming the first player to ever reach 20 home runs, 40 stolen bases and 50 RBIs before the All-Star break. Acuna, 25, and Ohtani led their respective leagues in All-Star Game votes. Acuna is one of eight Braves named All-Stars, tying the All-Star Game record for National League teams. — Reuters
