In? Shohei Ohtani.
Out? Yordan Alvarez.
At least in the American League starting lineup at designated hitter for the July 19 All-Star Game at Dodger Stadium.
Alvarez, the left-handed slugger for the Astros, leads the major leagues in OPS and slugging percentage, batting .312/.410/.665 with 26 home runs heading into Friday’s action, but Ohtani, the Angels’ two-way star, edged him out in the second round of fan voting to earn his second straight starting assignment in the All-Star Game. Last year, Ohtani made it as the AL’s starting pitcher.
After the first round of balloting, each position was narrowed to two finalists, with a new round of voting commencing. Ohtani collected 52% of the vote to 48% for Alvarez, who no doubt will be named a reserve when the rest of the team will be announced on Sunday.
Ohtani is hitting .257 with 18 home runs, but his pitching numbers are even better: 8-4 with a 2.44 ERA and 111 strikeouts in 81 innings. In his past four years, he’s allowed no earned runs while striking out 40 batters in 26.2 innings. Despite another disappointing season from the Angels, Ohtani has a chance to win his second straight MVP Award given his two-way performance.
His Angels teammate Mike Trout earns his 10th career selection. He’ll be joined in the AL outfield by Yankees Aaron Judge and Giancarlo Stanton. Judge leads the majors with 30 home runs and 65 runs while Stanton has hit 21 home runs. It’s the fourth All-Star selection for Judge and fifth for Stanton.
Jose Altuve of the Astros earned his eighth-star selection and fifth starting assignment at second baseman, while Rafael Devers beat Jose Ramirez at third base in a battle between two players have MVP-caliber seasons. Blue Jays catcher Alejandro Kirk is the only first-time starter for the AL.
In the National League, the closest race was at third base, where the Padres’ Manny Machado edged out the Cardinals’ Nolan Arenado, 51% to 49%. Shortstop was also a close vote, with the Dodgers’ Trea Turner beating out the Braves’ Dansby Swanson, 52% to 48%. Bryce Harper was voted in as the starting DH, but he’ll have to be replaced due to injury. Marlins second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. will be a first-time All-Star.