2021 MLB All-Star Game lineups: Shohei Ohtani named AL's starting pitcher and leadoff hitter (2024)

2021 MLB All-Star Game lineups: Shohei Ohtani named AL's starting pitcher and leadoff hitter (1)

Ohtani will be the first batter of the game and then pitch in the bottom of the first

By Katherine Acquavella

2 min read

2021 MLB All-Star Game lineups: Shohei Ohtani named AL's starting pitcher and leadoff hitter (3)

The MLB All-Star Game is set for Tuesday night at Denver's Coors Field. Earlier this week, we learned exactly what the starting lineups would look like for each team, and it's clear who will get the spotlight in the Midsummer Classic's first inning.Angelstwo-way sensationShohei Ohtaniwill start on the mound for the American League. He will also bat leadoff for the AL and be the first hitter of the game againstMax Scherzer, the National League's starting pitcher.

Ohtani, voted as the AL's starting DH by fans and also picked as a pitcher, made history as the first player in MLB history to make an All-Star team as both a hitter and pitcher. The league has changed the DH rule --something CBS Sports' Mike Axisa argued for last month-- for the All-Star Game to specifically allow the AL to keep the DH after Ohtani exits. Ohtani will be allowed to remain in the game as the DH even after he's removed as a pitcher.

"For this game, we're going to be allowed to use Shohei as two players," American League manager Kevin Cash said during Monday's press conference. Cash said he begged MLB to make the rule change. "This is what the fans want to see."

2021 MLB All-Star Game lineups: Shohei Ohtani named AL's starting pitcher and leadoff hitter (4)

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Ohtani's All-Star appearances on the mound and at the plate will come less than 24 hours after his participation in the2021 Home Run Derby.Ohtani was ousted in a first-round swing-off against Nationals slugger Juan Soto on Monday night.

Ohtani, 27, is slashing .279/.364/.698 with a league-best 33 home runs to go along with 70 RBI, 65 runs scored, 12 steals. His pitching stats include a 3.49 ERA (132ERA+) with 87 strikeouts in 13 games started (67 IP).CBS Sports' Dayn Perry recently broke down how Ohtani became one of the league's elite power hitters.

Dave Roberts of the defending World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers will manage the National League, and Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays will manage the American League squad. Roberts will be managing the NL team for a third consecutive All-Star Game. The pair of skippers unveiled their starting lineups (which both feature a DH) at a press conference on Monday afternoon.

Here's how the teams will look to start the game:

National League All-Star starting lineup

  1. Fernando Tatis Jr. - SS, Padres
  2. Max Muncy - DH, Dodgers
  3. Nolan Arenado - 3B, Cardinals
  4. Freddie Freeman - 1B, Braves
  5. Nick Castellanos - RF, Reds
  6. Jesse Winker - LF, Reds
  7. J.T. Realmuto - C, Phillies
  8. Bryan Reynolds - CF, Pirates
  9. Adam Frazier - 2B, Pirates

SP: Max Scherzer, Nationals

American League All-Star starting lineup

  1. Shohei Ohtani - DH, Angels
  2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. - 1B, Blue Jays
  3. Xander Bogaerts - SS, Red Sox
  4. Aaron Judge - RF, Yankees
  5. Rafael Devers - 3B, Red Sox
  6. Marcus Semien - 2B, Blue Jays
  7. Salvador Perez - C, Royals
  8. Teoscar Hernández - LF, Blue Jays
  9. Cedric Mullins - CF, Orioles

SP: Shohei Ohtani, Angels

The 2021 All-Star Game starts at 7:30 p.m. ET on Tuesday.

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2021 MLB All-Star Game lineups: Shohei Ohtani named AL's starting pitcher and leadoff hitter (2024)

FAQs

2021 MLB All-Star Game lineups: Shohei Ohtani named AL's starting pitcher and leadoff hitter? ›

For the first time in All-Star Game history, Los Angeles Angels player Shohei Ohtani served as the starting pitcher and lead-off batter. The matchup also featured the 200th home run of the All-Star Game, which was hit by Toronto Blue Jays player Vladimir Guerrero Jr.

Did Ohtani make the All-Star Game as a pitcher? ›

Ohtani, who turns 29 on Wednesday, is the only player in major league history to be selected to the All-Star Game as both a position player and a pitcher. He has now been selected at both positions for a third consecutive season.

Who is the Al All-Star starting pitcher? ›

The lineups were announced at this morning's 2023 All-Star Game Press Conference, which was carried live by MLB Network. Baker has selected right-handed pitcher Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees AL's starting pitcher.

Who did Ohtani play for in 2021? ›

Shohei Ohtani
Runs batted in501
Teams
Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters (2013–2017) Los Angeles Angels (2018–2023) Los Angeles Dodgers (2024–present)
Career highlights and awards
24 more rows

How many All-Star games has Shohei Ohtani been in? ›

How many All-Star appearances does Shohei Ohtani have? Shohei Ohtani has made three All-Star appearances in 2021, 2022 and 2023. In 2023, he made his 3rd All-Star appearance as a pitcher and a hitter.

Is Shohei Ohtani a starting pitcher? ›

Became first player to start as a pitcher and a non-pitcher within same season since Rick Rhoden (Yankees) in 1988 (30 starts as pitcher, one as DH).

How many starting pitchers make the All-Star team? ›

Pitchers and position player reserves

There are 32 roster spots for each league (20 position players and 12 pitchers). The player ballots account for 17 players in both the AL and NL -- eight pitchers (five starters and three relievers), as well as one backup for each position, including DH.

Why is Shohei Ohtani so famous? ›

Shohei Ohtani, the Japanese sensation, has become a focal point of discussions in the baseball world, capturing the imagination of fans and analysts alike. His unique ability to excel as both a pitcher and a hitter has propelled him into the realm of greatness, making him a standout figure in the history of the sport.

How many innings did Ohtani pitch in 2021? ›

Ruth recorded a league-leading 29 home runs (in the dead ball era) while recording 30 strikeouts when he pitched 133.1 innings. In 2021, Ohtani posted 46 home runs and 156 strikeouts in 130.1 innings pitched. No other player in MLB history had recorded 10+ homers and 100+ strikeouts until Ohtani in 2021.

How many no hitters does Ohtani have? ›

Shohei Ohtani has not thrown any no-hitters in his career.

What is Shohei Ohtani's salary? ›

What is Ohtani's net worth? ›

Shohei Ohtani Net Worth: Dodgers' $700 Million Man Could Transform Baseball - Bloomberg.

How famous is Shohei Ohtani in Japan? ›

It is no exaggeration to say that “Shotime” – twice named the American League's most valuable player – has achieved national hero status in his native Japan since he left the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters for the Angels in 2017, following a path laid out by his illustrious predecessors Hideo Nomo and Ichiro Suzuki.

Who is not pitching in All-Star Game? ›

Marcus Stroman opts not to pitch in All-Star Game.

Who is the Tiger pitcher in the All-Star Game? ›

Starting pitcher Michael Lorenzen will represent the Detroit Tigers on the American League All-Star team on July 11 in Seattle. Lorenzen was the Tigers' lone roster selection announced on Sunday afternoon. He is the first Tigers starting pitcher selected to the team since Michael Fulmer in 2017.

Is Ohtani on the All-Star team? ›

Selected as both a position player and pitcher for third consecutive season. ANAHEIM – Major League Baseball announced today that Shohei Ohtani has been selected to the 2023 American League All-Star team as a pitcher. On June 22, he was selected via fan voting as the starting designated hitter for the A.L.

Who made the All-Star team for the Braves? ›

The Braves will have a franchise-record eight players on the National League team at the July 11 All-Star Game at T-Mobile Park in Seattle: Ronald Acuña Jr., Sean Murphy, Orlando Arcia, Matt Olson, Ozzie Albies, Austin Riley, Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder.

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