The MLB had its annual Home Run Derby last night and it was not only competitive, it had its fair share of drama mixed in. The latest format of the derby offered a bit of nostalgia to the days when the hitters got 10 outs and no time limit. There were a few rounds that came down to the bonus rounds and one that went to a “swing-off” between Phillies Alec Bohm and the now-champion Teoscar Hernandez. It was the perfect appetizer for the main course tonight, the All-Star game.
The MLB All-Star game (and home run derby) are easily the most popular out of all four major North American professional sports. Among other reasons, it happens in the middle of a “dead period” in the sports world. And up until 2017, had serious impact on the rest of the season. The MLB used to determine home-field advantage based on the winner of the All-Star game, but quit that criteria 7 years ago. With that, the ASG lost a bit of its shine but people will still tune in to see the best pitchers in the world face off against the best hitters in the world. For baseball lovers, it is must-see television. And tonight might be the most electrifying start to an ASG we have seen in years.
Pirates rookie, Paul Skenes, has taken the baseball world by storm over the past few years. It all started in the College World Series when he led his team to a National Championship with 100+ mph fastballs that could not be touched. So many questions about how his game would translate up at the next level, but those questions have been answered. Skenes took the fast track to the bigs, only sticking around for a cup of coffee in the minors, and his impact was immediate for Pittsburgh at the major league level. He was pulled last week after seven no-hit innings because of high pitch count, but his point was proven. Proven enough that he has gotten the nod as tonights NL starter, the first rookie to start an All-Star Game since 1995. Skenes has only pitched in 11 total MLB games.
Below are the lineups and probable starters for tonights game, first pitch is set for 7 PM CT on FOX
American League
- Steven Kwan, Guardians, LF
- Gunnar Henderson, Orioles, SS
- Juan Soto, Yankees, RF
- Aaron Judge, Yankees, CF
- Yordan Alvarez, Astros, DH
- José Ramírez, Guardians, 3B
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays, 1B
- Adley Rutschman, Orioles, C
- Marcus Semien, Rangers, 2B
Starting pitcher: Corbin Burnes, Orioles
National League
- Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks, 2B
- Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers, DH
- Trea Turner, Phillies, SS
- Bryce Harper, Phillies, 1B
- William Contreras, Brewers, C
- Christian Yelich, Brewers, RF
- Alec Bohm, Phillies, 3B
- Teoscar Hernández, Dodgers, CF
- Jurickson Profar, Padres, LF
Starting pitcher: Paul Skenes, Pirates
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