Dodgers News: Mookie Betts in Center Field for NL All Star Team
It’s that time again. The voting has concluded, the teams have been announced, and baseball’s best have assembled in Seattle for the 2023 MLB All-Star Game in Seattle.
And now we have the lineups for the Midsummer Classic at T-Mobile Park — with one surprise mixed in as far as the Dodgers’ contingent is concerned.
Dodgers right fielder Mookie Betts will be batting third and playing centerfield for the NL All Star team in Tuesday night’s game.
The 2023 All-Star Game starting lineups! pic.twitter.com/nirtDpuvnP
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) July 10, 2023
That’s a slight change for the primarily corner outfielder, but he’ll get a chance in center in the sport’s annual showcase.
Slight adjustment for him, yes, but he’s shown the ability to provide some fireworks in center in the past, not the least of which being this incredible catch against the San Diego Padres in 2021.
So baseball fans across the nation will have an opportunity to see Betts patrol center in Seattle, but that won’t be the only Dodger making an appearance to get the show started.
Joining Betts in the lineup will be Freddie Freeman playing at his usual first base spot and hitting second, while J.D. Martinez will be hitting in the cleanup spot as the National League’s starting designated hitter.
Freeman’s had one of the best bats in the NL this season, slashing .320/.396/.556 at the break. His batting average puts him at fourth in the NL.
For Martinez, it’s been an excellent season for him as he’s put his career firmly back on track in Dodger blue. He’s hit .255 with 22 home runs and 62 RBI this season, as he already has six more bombs this year than he did in all of 2022.
It will be quite the show for baseball fans across the country as the greatest players the MLB has to offer will get together for the best All Star Game across all major sports.
It’s now about time to just sit back and enjoy watching it all unfold.
