MLB announced the starting lineups for tomorrow night’s All-Star Game, and as planned two Yankees will feature. Cody Bellinger starts in right and bats sixth, while Ben Rice starts at first and bats seventh:
The pair of Bombers come after a star-studded top five in the AL lineup, starting with Mike Trout in center, Yordan Alvarez at DH, Shea Langliers at catcher, Junior Caminero at third, and Bobby Witt Jr. at shortstop. Riley Greene in left and Ernie Clement at second round out the lineup. Rice is
somewhat hard-done-by with his slot in the lineup, his 166 wRC+ second in the AL behind only Alvarez, and Langliers is a curious choice from manager John Schneider (to bat third, the catcher having a great season but lacking the offensive skillset and pedigree of most of the other starters.
Otherwise, the lineup seems fair enough on paper, and it’s very cool to see Trout, the once-and-forever legend who’s been derailed by injuries, slot in at the top, in the midst of a resurgent (and yet still injury-ridden) campaign. He and Alvarez form an awesome one-two, and though I would personally have slotted Rice right in there at the three spot, it’s hard to argue with Caminero and Witt’s positions, the pair each among the game’s brightest young stars.
You can also check out the National League’s lineup here:
