Dodgers Land 4 NL Starters as Ohtani Tops All-Star Vote
SkimNews Take
Four Dodgers among the NL starters shows how fan- and player-balloting amplifies roster imbalances already built into the standings, leaving the All-Star showcase visibly top-heavy.
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- Shohei Ohtani led all players in votes and will start at DH for the NL, joined by Dodgers teammates Freddie Freeman (1B), Max Muncy (3B) and Andy Pages (OF) — manager Dave Roberts said Ohtani is unlikely to pitch after the team adjusted his schedule.
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr. opted out after rosters were announced, and Athletics first baseman Nick Kurtz — who won the player vote at his position — takes his place on the AL infield.
- Phillies left-hander Cristopher Sanchez is the favorite to start for the NL given his Cy Young candidacy and the chance to pitch at home Citizens Bank Park; Jacob Misiorowski is unlikely to throw after being scheduled to start for the Brewers on July 12.
- Mike Trout is making his 12th All-Star appearance and first since 2023, currently on the injured list with a hamstring injury but expected back by early next week; the game is held near where he grew up, and he got emotional in the clubhouse after manager Kurt Suzuki shared the news on a family video call.
- The Dodgers, Braves and Phillies each send an MLB-best five players; the Dodgers, chasing what would be the first NL three-peat in decades, have placed at least five All-Stars for seven straight years.
- Five starters — Shea Langeliers, Ernie Clement, Drake Baldwin, Brandon Marsh and Andy Pages — are first-time All-Stars, while a rookie class led by Cleveland's Travis Bazzana and Detroit's Kevin McGonigle makes the reserves.
- MLB is returning to original team uniforms for the All-Star Game, reversing the recent trend of specialized event jerseys.
Why it matters: With four of eight NL starters coming from one team, the Dodgers' roster dominance reflects the depth of a club chasing a third straight NL title — a feat not accomplished in this league in nearly 50 years — while the starting-pitcher decision narrows to Cristopher Sanchez after both Ohtani and Misiorowski were ruled out by their schedules.
