Los Angeles Angels two-way star Shohei Ohtani will once again be on full display as the American League faces the National League in the 2021 edition of the MLB All-Star Game.
Ohtani made history by being the first player in MLB history to be selected to the All-Star Game as both a hitter and a pitcher. He was named the starting designated hitter for the AL and was selected as a pitcher just a few days later. Angels first baseman Jared Walsh was also selected to his first All-Star Game as a reserve behind Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
The American League is being managed by Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash, while the National League is led by L.A. Dodgers manager Dave Roberts. The two have full control over substitutions and starting pitchers once the game is underway.
In a press conference on Monday, Roberts announced that Washington Nationals ace Max Scherzer would be the NL starter, saying that Scherzer earned it after losing a chance to start in 2020.
Meanwhile, Cash made a historic decision, announcing that Ohtani would the AL starting pitcher as well as batting leadoff in the American League lineup. “I was actually not expecting to be chosen as a pitcher at all,” Ohtani said. “But to be named the starter, I was really not expecting that at all. But it’s a huge honor and I’m going to try my best.”
Ohtani was rightfully exhausted after competing in Monday night’s Home Run Derby, but wanted to compete in every possible event for the fans. “I’m expecting to be pretty fatigued and exhausted after these two days, but there’s a lot of people that want to watch it and I want to make those guys happy. That’s why I’m going to do it.”
In related history, MLB will waive the rule requiring the AL to forfeit their DH with Ohtani pulling two-way duty. He can be removed as a pitcher and remain in the game as a DH. He can also be replaced as a DH later in the game.
While Ohtani is likely going to be the biggest draw on Tuesday, this still figures to be an incredible event filled with many of the best players that baseball has to offer.
MLB All-Star Game lineups and TV Info
Coors Field, Denver Colorado
Date: Tuesday, July 13, 2021
Time: 4:30 p.m. PT
TV: FOX, live stream on Foxsports.com
American League
Starting Pitcher: Shohei Ohtani (Angels)
1- DH Shohei Ohtani (Angels)
2- 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)
3- SS Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox)
4- RF Aaron Judge (Yankees)
5- 3B Rafael Devers (Red Sox)
6- 2B Marcus Semien (Blue Jays)
7- C Salvador Perez (Royals)
8- LF Teoscar Hernandez (Blue Jays)
9- CF Cedric Mullins (Orioles)
National League
Starting Pitcher: Max Scherzer (Nationals)
1- SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres)
2- DH Max Muncy (Dodgers)
3- 3B Nolan Arenado (Cardinals)
4- 1B Freddie Freeman (Braves)
5- RF Nick Castellanos (Reds)
6- LF Jesse Winker (Reds)
7- C JT Realmuto (Phillies)
8- CF Bryan Reynolds (Pirates)
9- 2B Adam Frazier (Pirates)