On Tuesday, baseball’s brightest stars took the field at Truist Park in Atlanta for the 95th MLB All-Star Game. The best players from the American and National Leagues faced off in a showcase of the top talent in the majors.
Here are six key takeaways from this year’s Midsummer Classic:
6. Paul Skenes’ start makes history
In only his second season in the majors, Paul Skenes has already earned All-Star honors twice — starting on the mound for the NL both times. He’s the first pitcher in MLB history to start the All-Star Game in each of his first two seasons. In Tuesday’s appearance, Skenes delivered a dominant inning: no hits, no walks, no runs and two strikeouts.
5. Clayton Kershaw shined in potential All-Star farewell
In his 18th MLB season, Kershaw earned the All-Star Game’s “Legend Pick” honor, making it his 11th selection to the Midsummer Classic. Pitching in what might be his final All-Star showing, the veteran faced two batters — Cal Raleigh and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. — retiring both, including a strikeout of Guerrero Jr.
4. Corbin Carroll becomes first Diamondback to hit a home run in the All-Star Game
Coming off the bench in the bottom of the sixth inning, Carroll made franchise history in one swing. With a 414-foot blast to right field, he became the first player in Arizona Diamondbacks history to hit a home run in an All-Star Game.