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Leading the majors with 37 home runs made Orioles first baseman Chris Davis an easy choice to hit cleanup for the American League in the All-Star Game and AL manager Jim Leyland agreed.
Appearing in his first Midsummer Classic after tying Reggie Jackson’s AL record for most homers before the All-Star break, Davis will hit in the fourth spot instead of more established sluggers such as Miguel Cabrera, David Ortiz, and Jose Bautista. The 27-year-old slugger homered in each of the final four games prior to the break and was the leading vote-getter for the All-Star Game being played Tuesday night at Citi Field in New York.
Of course, Davis won’t be the only Orioles representative in the starting lineup as center fielder Adam Jones will hit seventh and shortstop J.J. Hardy will hit in the No. 9 spot for the AL. The Orioles had more starters than any club in either league before National League manager Bruce Bochy named Rockies outfielder Michael Cuddyer as his designated hitter, giving the Rockies three starters.
Third baseman Manny Machado and late-addition pitcher Chris Tillman will serve as reserves on the AL roster as each is making his first All-Star appearance. The five All-Star selections are the most the Orioles have had since six players were named to the 1997 contest.
Here are the lineups for the 84th edition of baseball’s All-Star Game:
American League
LF Mike Trout, LAA
2B Robinson Cano, NYY
3B Miguel Cabrera, DET
1B Chris Davis, BAL
RF Jose Bautista, TOR
DH David Ortiz, BOS
CF Adam Jones, BAL
C Joe Mauer, MIN
SS J.J. Hardy, BAL
SP Max Scherzer, DET (13-1, 3.19 ERA)
National League
2B Brandon Phillips, CIN
RF Carlos Beltran, STL
1B Joey Votto, CIN
3B David Wright, NYM
LF Carlos Gonzalez, COL
C Yadier Molina, STL
SS Troy Tulowitzki, COL
DH Michael Cuddyer, COL
CF Bryce Harper, WAS
SP Matt Harvey, NYM (7-2, 2.35 ERA)
