Dodgers ace to open in All-Star Game
Kershaw, the veteran Dodgers pitcher, was named the National League’s starting pitcher and will face Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan in the 92nd Summer Classic at Dodger Stadium on Tuesday night.
“It means a lot,” Kershaw said. “It means a lot to my family. We’re excited.
“Hopefully,” he added, “I don’t screw it up too much.”
National League manager Brian Snitker picked Kershaw, a nine-time All-Star, over Miami Marlins right-handed pitcher Sandy Alcantara, the best pitcher in the first half of the season.
“It was a tough decision,” Snitker said, “(but) we’re here in Los Angeles, home of the Dodgers.”
Kershaw’s first pitch will go to Shohei Ohtani, the American League’s starter as the designated hitter, who American League manager Dusty Baker said he also thought about having open on the mound.
“There was consideration,” Baker said, “but based on the information we got from Ohtani’s camp, he probably shouldn’t or wouldn’t want to start. That’s why we chose Shane.”
When asked if Ohtani would pitch, Baker said, “You have to ask them some of these questions.”
Instead, Baker chose McClanahan, of whom he said, “To tell you the truth, I’ve never seen him pitch.” Baker has seen McClanahan pitch in the 2020 American League Championship Series, but it wasn’t a particularly memorable outing, as he allowed three runs in 1.2 innings as a reliever.
He will face Ronald Acuna Jr, Mookie Betts and Manny Machado, who headline the National League lineup. Paul Goldschmidt will bat fourth and Trea Turner fifth, with the Contreras brothers, Cubs catcher Willson Contreras and Braves designated hitter William Contreras batting sixth and seventh. Joc Pederson and Jeff McNeil rounded out Snitker’s lineup.
Following Ohtani is his co-favorite for American League Most Valuable Player, Aaron Judge, followed by Rafael Devers, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Giancarlo Stanton. Byron Buxton, filling in for the injured Mike Trout, will come in sixth, ahead of Tim Anderson, Andres Gimenez and Alejandro Kirk.
