What happened: National League manager Dave Roberts assigned Juan Soto the number two spot in the batting order and named him the starting left fielder for Tuesday's exhibition. The lineup positioning rewards an offensive first half where the outfielder paced all National League hitters in on-base plus slugging percentage.

Why it matters: Securing the second slot guarantees the outfielder immediate plate appearances in the first inning against American League pitching. The premier placement underscores his dominance during the first half and positions him as a focal point of the midsummer classic.

What to watch: The National League starting lineup takes the field for the All-Star Game on Tuesday night. Regular-season play resumes later in the week when the club travels to Philadelphia for a division series against the Phillies.