Los Angeles Dodgers star Clayton Kershaw’s first All-Star Game start will be a home game.
Kershaw, the longtime Dodgers ace, was named as the starting pitcher for the National League and will face Tampa Bay Rays left-hander Shane McClanahan in the 92nd Midsummer Classic at Dodger Stadium tonight.
NL manager Brian Snitker chose Kershaw, a nine-time All-Star who has never started the game, over Miami Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara, the best pitcher in the first half of the season.
Kershaw’s first pitch will be to the Angel’s Shohei Ohtani, the American League’s starting designated hitter whom AL manager Dusty Baker said he thought about starting on the mound as well.
After Ohtani is Yankee outfielder Aaron Judge, followed by Red Sox third baseman Rafael Devers, Blue Jays first baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Yankee outfielder Giancarlo Stanton. Twins outfielder Byron Buxton, filling in for the injured Mike Trout, will hit sixth, in front of White Sox shortstop Tim Anderson, Guardians second baseman Andrés Giménez and Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk.
McClanahan will first face off against Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr., Dodgers outfielder Mookie Betts and Padres third baseman Manny Machado, who top the NL lineup. Cardinals first baseman Paul Goldschmidt will hit cleanup and Dodgers shortstop Trea Turner will bat fifth, with the Contreras brothers – Cubs catcher Willson Contreras and Braves DH William Contreras — batting sixth and seventh. Giants outfielder Joc Pederson and Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil round out the NL lineup.