The National League’s starting lineups for the All-Star Game were unveiled on Monday afternoon, with manager Dave Roberts making a noteworthy decision to place Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. in the second spot of the batting order, while positioning him in left field.
Traditionally a leadoff hitter for the Braves, Acuña has recently experimented with batting third in a bid to ignite offensive momentum for his team. In this All-Star Game, he will bat second, joined by superstar Shohei Ohtani and Ketel Marte around him, while former teammate Freddie Freeman occupies the clean-up position.
The decision to have Acuña play left field stems from fan voting, which resulted in two right-fielders, including Cubs standout Kyle Tucker, securing the starting spots. Acuña’s familiarity with the ballpark, being his home stadium, likely influenced this choice. It’s important to note that during the All-Star Game, players typically participate for only a few innings as managers usually substitute reserves after the starters have had a couple of at-bats.
This lineup spotlights the exciting talent of the National League, setting the stage for a thrilling All-Star showdown. Fans can look forward to seeing how these players synergize on the field in what’s expected to be a memorable event.