CHICAGO, ILLINOIS - JUNE 02: Nick Lodolo #40 of the Cincinnati Reds pitches against the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field on June 02, 2024 in Chicago, Illinois. (Photo by Nuccio DiNuzzo/Getty Images)
Defending World Series Champion Texas Rangers Shut Out of AL All-Star Game Starting Lineup.
The Texas Rangers’ hope of having a starter on the field for the All-Star Game at Globe Life Field ended on Wednesday, as second baseman Marcus Semien failed to win the vote for his position.
MLB announced the starting lineups for the second All-Star Game to be played in Arlington. The first was in 1995 at The Ballpark in Arlington, which is across the street from Globe Life Field.
A year ago, the Rangers had five All-Star Game starters, including Semien, Corey Seager, Jonah Heim, Josh Jung, and Adolis Garcia, who started as an injury replacement. Pitcher Nathan Eovaldi was also an All-Star, giving the Rangers an MLB-high six total All-Stars in Seattle.
The Rangers are likely to have at least a couple of players named as All-Star reserves, including closer Kirby Yates and perhaps infielder Josh Smith and Semien.
When they hosted the 1995 All-Star Game, the Rangers catcher Ivan “Pudge” Rodriguez was their lone elected starter.
Houston Astros great Jose Altuve beat out Semien for the starting spot. It’s Altuve’s ninth All-Star Game and his sixth as a starter.
The reserves and the pitching staffs will be announced this weekend. Those selections are based on a player vote and selections by MLB.
The All-Star festivities start on Friday, July 12, with the HBCU Swingman Classic at Globe Life Field. Saturday brings the MLB Futures game and the Rangers had three prospects selected to participate — infielder Sebastian Walcott, pitcher Emiliano Teodo and pitcher Winston Santos. Former Rangers players Adrian Beltre and Michael Young will manage the AL and NL Futures teams, respectively.
