The bottom half of the American League’s batting order for the 2016 Major League Baseball All-Star Game will be littered with Boston Red Sox.
The lineups for Tuesday’s Midsummer Classic were announced Monday afternoon, and the AL’s features four Red Sox starters. David Ortiz will bat cleanup, followed by Xander Bogaerts in the No. 5 hole, Mookie Betts hitting seventh and Jackie Bradley Jr. rounding out the order in the No. 9 slot.
Here’s a look at the AL’s full starting lineup, courtesy of The Boston Globe’s Peter Abraham:
Also of note: While Ortiz, Bogaerts and Betts all will be lining up in their usual positions (designated hitter, shortstop and right field, respectively), Bradley will start the game in left field rather than his typical post in center.
Why? Because that spot is occupied by Los Angeles Angels star Mike Trout, who led all AL outfielders in All-Star votes.
The starting pitchers for each league also were announced Monday. Chicago White Sox ace Chris Sale will take the ball for the AL opposite Johnny Cueto of the San Francisco Giants for the NL.
A fifth Red Sox All-Star, Steven Wright, will be available to pitch out of the bullpen for AL manager Ned Yost, though it sounds like any appearance by the knuckleballer probably wouldn’t come until the later innings.
First pitch is scheduled for 8 p.m. ET on Tuesday at San Diego’s Petco Park.
Thumbnail photo via Kevin Jairaj/USA TODAY Sports Images
