The American League will take on the National League on Tuesday night in Los Angeles, in the 2022 edition of the MLB All-Star Game.
The AL lineup has already been published: it’s an incredible blend of contact, power, and on-base ability.
Los Angeles Angels star Shohei Ohtani is leading off.
AL Starting Lineup with Shohei Ohtani leading off! pic.twitter.com/220lnAe9NS
— Ben Verlander (@BenVerlander) July 18, 2022
After what he did last season, the baseball world wondered what he had in store for an encore.
As it turns out, he has been just as good.
In 382 plate appearances, the two-way star is hitting .258/.348/.486 with 19 home runs, 51 runs, 56 RBI, and even 10 steals for good measure.
His .835 OPS is still short of his .965 mark from last year, but chances are he will finish a lot closer than that.
Ohtani Will Lead Off In A Really Strong Lineup
Even though the Angels have been derailed by shocking losing streaks and subpar play (they are 39-53 after being 27-17 at one point), Ohtani has never ceased to impress.
The rest of the lineup is really, really strong.
New York Yankees slugger Aaron Judge, who leads the league with 33 home runs at the end of the first half, is batting second behind Ohtani.
Boston Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers is the third hitter in the lineup, while Toronto Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is hitting cleanup.
Yankees outfielder/designated hitter Giancarlo Stanton is the fifth batter in the order, and Minnesota Twins star center fielder Byron Buxton is sixth.
Two AL Central infielders are seventh and eighth: the Chicago White Sox’s Tim Anderson and Cleveland Guardians’ Andres Gimenez.
Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk is ninth, and Shane McClanahan of the Tampa Bay Rays is the pitcher.
Most eyes will be on Ohtani, though.
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