The Texas Rangers lead the majors as four players have been voted as starters for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game, the league announced Thursday. Here’s what you need to know about rolls:
- The Rangers are the first MLB team with at least four players elected to the All-Star Game since 2016, Texas saidas well as setting a franchise record.
- The rest of the All-Star rosters, including pitchers and reserve players for both teams, will be announced at 5:30 p.m. ET Sunday on ESPN.
- The game is set for 8 PM ET on Tuesday, July 11 at the Mariners’ T-Mobile Park. It will be broadcast on Fox and Fox Deportes.
Full list of appetizers
Angels’ two-way star Shuhei Ohtani (as DH) and Braves player Ronald Acuña Jr. earned automatic starting spots as leading votes during the first of two rounds of voting.
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Voters rewarded the best teams
The Rangers have emerged as leaders in the American League West, boasting a deep lineup and staff. They were rewarded by all-star voters for their prowess. The Rangers voted on four starting players: shortstop Corey Seager, second baseman Marcus Semien, catcher Jonah Heim, and rookie third baseman Josh Jung. It pays to compete, apparently — Yandy Diaz, the Rays’ first baseman, beat Vladimir Guerrero Jr., the Blue Jays’ most popular baseman (it doesn’t hurt that Diaz has been a more effective hitter than Guerrero this year.)
The Braves have received similar support. Atlanta will send its player Ronald Acuna Jr., his owner Shaun Murphy and Orlando Arcia. – McCullough
Potential breakout star?
It must be Corbin Carroll, the legendary Arizona player. The rookie played a huge role in the Diamondbacks’ rise to first place in the National League West. He had a lot of tools, but his speed could be apparent in Seattle. If he hits a ball into the gap, or reaches base, watch it fly. – McCullough
The biggest surprises
Arcia ranks fifth among NL shortstops in the war, according to FanGraphs, trailing Dansby Swanson, Geraldo Perdomo, Thairo Estrada, and Francisco Lindor. But Arcia is playing the best baseball of his career, playing for the Braves, whose popularity carried him into his first All-Star Game.
Nolan Arenado is having an absolutely fantastic season. He entered Thursday’s games batting at .273 with a .806 OPS. But that’s well below his usual high, more than 70 points below his career average in OPS, and the Cardinals are languishing in last place. It doesn’t matter: Arenado, a Hall of Fame track player, earned his eighth All-Star berth. Tough break for Jeimer Candelario and JD Davis, but life isn’t fair. – McCullough
All star week schedule
The All-Star Game ends other MLB events for a few days. They include:
- HBCU Swingman Classic – July 7 at 10:30 p.m. ET on the MLB Network
- Futures Game – July 8 at 7 p.m. ET on MLB Network and Peacock
- Celebrity Softball – July 8 after the Futures Game, on ESPN
- MLB Draft – First Round begins July 9 at 7 PM ET on ESPN
- Home Run Derby – July 10 at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN
game form
As of last year, the All-Star Game does not head to extra innings if tied after nine innings. Instead, teams participate in a best-of-three home round derby with three players from each team participating. Each player gets three flips, and whichever team hits the most homers wins the game. If there is another tie, each manager will select one player to do three rounds in a head-to-head competition, which will continue until the tie is broken.
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(Photo: Ken Blaze/USA Today)
