MLB All-Star Game 2013: NL batting order announced

National League manager Bruce Bochy announced his team's batting order for the 2013 MLB All-Star Game today during a press conference at Citi Field.

The Reds' Brandon Phillips bats leadoff. He's hitting .266 with a .320 OBP with just one steal, which makes him a bit of a strange choice in my mind. Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran follows with a .309 average (.879 OPS) to go along with 12 home runs and 59 RBI. Batting third is Joey Votto of the Reds. Votto is having another good year, though a step down from the 1.041 OPS season he put together last year. His line of .318/.434/.506 is an early highlight in the NL order.

David Wright of the Mets is batting cleanup. He has a .304/.396/.507 slash line to start the year along with 13 HR and 44 RBI. ("If you're the captain of the Home Run Derby, you need to hit cleanup," Bochy said of Wright.) NL home runs leader Carlos Gonzalez gets the fifth spot.

What's surprising is that NL batting leader Yadier Molina (.341 average) is batting so low in the lineup, sixth, and that the Rockies' Troy Tulowitzki (1.008 OPS, 16 HR) is batting seventh. Former Twin (current Rocky) Michael Cuddyer and young Nationals star Bryce Harper round out the lineup at eighth and ninth.

Mets representative Matt Harvey gets the start for the National League, while Max Scherzer of the Tigers will start the game for the American League.

All-Star Game coverage on Tuesday is set for 7:30 p.m. on Fox.

NL Batting Order

1. Brandon Phillips, 2B (Reds)

2. Carlos Beltran, RF (Cardinals)

3. Joey Votto, 1B (Reds)

4. David Wright, 3B (Mets)

5. Carlos Gonzalez, LF (Rockies)

6. Yadier Molina, C (Cardinals)

7. Troy Tulowitzki, SS (Rockies)

8. Michael Cuddyer, DH (Rockies)

9. Bryce Harper, CF (Nationals)

SP: Matt Harvey (Mets)

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