Braves’ Acuña, Freeman named NL All-Star Game starters

ATLANTA — It’s official: two of the most popular and best players on the Atlanta Braves roster have been named to the National League’s starting team for Major League Baseball’s All-Star Game.

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Ronald Acuña Jr. will be starting in centerfield with Freddie Freeman at first-base for the game, which will be played July 13 at Coors Field in Denver.

The game was originally slated for Atlanta’s Truist Park.

[RELATED: MLB selects Denver to replace Atlanta as 2021 All-Star Game host]

The game will mark Acuña’s second All-Star appearance in his fourth major league season.

The speedy, powerful outfielder has missed three games over the past week with back issues, but is hoping to be healthy enough to play in the game and possibly the Home Run Derby.

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For Freeman, it will be his fifth All-Star appearance. The reigning league MVP has struggled early in the 2021 season, but his bat has come around as the season has progressed.

Here’s a full list of National League starters:

• 1B: Freddie Freeman, Atlanta Braves
• 2B: Adam Frazier, Pittsburgh Pirates
• SS: Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres
• 3B: Nolan Arrenado, St. Louis Cardinals
• C: Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants
• OF: Ronald Acuña, Jr. Atlanta Braves
• OF: Nick Castellanos, Cincinnati Reds
• OF: Jesse Winker, Cincinnati Reds

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Pitchers and reserve players for the All-Star game will be announced Sunday night at 5:30 p.m.

Third baseman Austin Riley, Ozzie Albies and pitcher Max Fried are among several Braves with a chance at being selected for one of those roles.

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