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Barring a surprise reversal of trade talks, the final game that Manny Machado plays in an Orioles uniform will be tonight’s All-Star Game. Machado is batting seventh and playing shortstop for the American League. He may only get one at-bat before Astros/AL manager A.J. Hinch removes him. Depending on how the game plays out, Machado might not even have to make a play in the field while he’s in the game.
The game itself, of course, does not count for anything any more. Nothing that happens in it matters, unless there is a freak injury, which would be all kinds of awful for everyone involved. Modern technology and streaming products available make it mostly possible to watch any player or team you want to watch. The regular presence of interleague means that it’s not like there are players on the other team you never see.
It’s just a low-stakes baseball game played between some of the better players in MLB, who get the rare opportunity to have fun and not really care while they are playing their game.
Coverage of the pre-game activities begins at 7:30 Eastern on your local Fox affiliate. Perhaps they will have the introductions concluded close to 8 o’clock so that the game can get underway not too far after that.
American League
- Mookie Betts - RF
- Jose Altuve - 2B
- Mike Trout - CF
- J.D. Martinez - DH
- Jose Ramirez - 3B
- Aaron Judge - LF
- Manny Machado - SS
- Jose Abreu - 1B
- Salvador Perez - C
Chris Sale is the starting pitcher for the AL.
National League
- Javier Baez - 2B
- Nolan Arenado - 3B
- Paul Goldschmidt - DH
- Freddie Freeman - 1B
- Matt Kemp - LF
- Bryce Harper - CF
- Nick Markakis - RF
- Brandon Crawford - SS
- Willson Contreras - C
Max Scherzer is the starting pitcher for the NL.
Complete All-Star rosters can be found here.