Blue Jays' Vladimir Guerrero Jr. to hit 5th for AL in Tuesday's MLB all-star game in Atlanta
First baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is set to represent the Toronto Blue Jays at his fifth MLB all-star game on Tuesday, hitting fifth in the American League lineup in Atlanta, while catcher Alejandro Kirk will be a reserve player.
Detroit second baseman Gleyber Torres will lead off for the AL, followed by Tigers left-fielder Riley Greene, New York Yankees right fielder Aaron Judge, Seattle catcher Cal Raleigh, Guerrero Jr., Baltimore designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn, Tampa Bay third baseman Junior Caminero, Tigers centre-fielder Javy Baez and Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson.
Shohei Ohtani will bat leadoff as the designated hitter for the National League at Truist Park, and the Los Angeles Dodgers star will be followed in the batting order by left fielder Ronald Acuna Jr. of the host Atlanta Braves.
Arizona second baseman Ketel Marte will hit third in the batting order announced Monday by Dodgers manager Dave Roberts, followed by Los Angeles first baseman Freddie Freeman, San Diego third baseman Manny Machado, Dodgers catcher Will Smith, Chicago Cubs right-fielder Kyle Tucker, New York Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor and Cubs centre-fielder Pete Crow-Armstrong.
Pittsburgh right-hander Paul Skenes will start his second straight all-star Game, Major League Baseball announced last week. Detroit left-hander Tarik Skubal will make his first all-star start for the AL.
"I think when you're talking about the game, where it's at, these two guys are guys that you can root for, are super talented, are going to be faces of this game for years to come," Roberts said.
Ohtani led off for the AL in the 2021 All-Star Game, when the two-way sensation also was the team's starting pitcher. He hit leadoff in 2022, then was the No. 2 hitter