The All-Star break might not be as significant for many members of the Dodgers as previously thought.
Manager Dave Roberts and his coaching staff are set to travel to Philadelphia for the Midsummer Classic, a nod to their accomplishments in last year’s National League pennant chase.
Meanwhile, two-way sensation Shohei Ohtani secured his role as the National League’s starting designated hitter last week, amassing the most votes of any player in the early fan voting.
On Saturday, four more Dodgers joined the National League team as announced during MLB’s All-Star Game Selection Show.
This included three additional position players selected as starters, giving the Dodgers a larger presence in the starting lineup than any other National League team.
Freddie Freeman clinched his 10th All-Star selection, winning a fan vote against Matt Olson, and this marks his eighth consecutive selection since 2018.
Max Muncy, enjoying a solid season, edged out Philadelphia’s Alec Bohm to earn his third All-Star nod, his first since 2021.
In the outfield, Andy Pages has been recognized for his impressive play on both offense and defense, marking his first All-Star nomination.
Additionally, Yoshinobu Yamamoto has been chosen by the Dodgers for the second time in three MLB seasons and will be part of the National League’s pitching staff, selected through player votes and nominations from the commissioner’s office.
Ohtani also received All-Star honors as a pitcher, but due to a revised pitching schedule this week, it’s likely he won’t take the mound in a game.
Notably, this will be the seventh straight All-Star Game where the Dodgers have five or more selections
However, there has been some disappointment with left-hander Justin Roblewski missing out on the initial roster despite boasting a 10-2 record with a 2.80 ERA. There’s a chance he could be tapped as a replacement as other pitchers face injuries or scheduling issues.
The Dodgers had several other finalists in the second round of fan voting—narrowed down to two infielders and six outfielders—yet some didn’t make the cut.
Mookie Betts came in second to young Nationals star CJ Abrams for the shortstop position. Teoscar Hernandez, along with Pages, the Phillies’ Brandon Marsh, and the Mets’ Juan Soto, also fell short. Will Smith was unable to participate due to an ongoing neck injury and lagged behind in voting to the Braves’ Drake Baldwin.
Regardless, the Dodgers will maintain their representation in Philadelphia later this month, as they aim for their third consecutive World Series title.
