Derrick Tuskan/Associated Press
1. Adam Frazier, 2B, Pittsburgh
2. Jesse Winker, OF, Cincinnati
3. Fernando Tatis Jr., SS, San Diego
4. Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta
5. Nick Castellanos, OF, Cincinnati
6. Nolan Arenado, 3B, St. Louis
7. Juan Soto, OF, Washington
8. Justin Turner, DH, Los Angeles Dodgers
9. J.T. Realmuto, C, Philadelphia
NL manager Dave Roberts has the unenviable task of making three crucial decisions about his starting lineup in a short amount of time.
Acuna likely would have been the leadoff hitter for the NL, but now Adam Frazier should be the front-runner for that role.
The Pittsburgh second baseman leads the majors with 115 hits and he is third in batting average behind Guerrero and Castellanos.
Frazier’s ability to get on base should help the power hitters beneath him drive in some runs in the first inning, no matter who is on the mound for the AL.
Jesse Winker, Tatis, Freddie Freeman and Castellanos make up a solid core in the heart of the order. Nolan Arenado could be switched with any one of them, but no matter which way you put it, the NL has depth in power after Frazier.
The bottom third is tricky to figure out because of the replacements for Acuna and Posey and the naming of a designated hitter.
J.T. Realmuto should get the nod over Omar Narvaez at catcher. Yadier Molina was voted in after Posey pulled out, but then he could not make the All-Star Game.
With Mookie Betts and Kyle Schwarber unavailable, Juan Soto seems like a solid choice to replace Acuna in the starting nine.
Soto is one of the young stars of the game and he brings extra pop to the bottom part of the order and that could give the NL an early edge on the scoreboard.
The designated hitter will likely be an infielder. After Manny Machado’s inclusion, the NL has nine infielders available.
Justin Turner would be a solid pick by Roberts to reward the Dodgers for their 56-win start. Sure, it would seem like a biased pick, but Turner brings plenty of experience to the lineup and it would allow the younger infielders to play the field while he has a fairly easy Tuesday at the plate.
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