WASHINGTON — Chris Sale of the Boston Red Sox will face Max Scherzer of the Washington Nationals once again as starting pitchers at the 89th All-Star Game in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday night.

Sale and Scherzer were the starters last year in the American League’s 2-1 victory, and each is making his third All-Star Game start.

Sale will be making his third consecutive All-Star start, joining Lefty Gomez and Robin Roberts as the only pitchers to do so.

“It’s a big honor,” Sale said at a news conference in Washington on Monday. “I know this hasn’t happened in a long time so I appreciate it. I’m going to try to have some fun with it, too. That’s why we’re all here, too. So grip and rip and try to get some wins.”

Sale has a 10-4 record and leads the AL in ERA (2.23) and strikeouts (188).

“The proof is in the numbers, and he is the most consistent starting pitcher in our league,” AL Manager A.J. Hinch said of his decision to start Sale.

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Scherzer is 12-5 with a 2.41 ERA and leads the NL with 182 strikeouts. He is thrilled to be starting at Nationals Park.

“So many emotions when you’re pitching in your own park,” he said. “It’s an honor to have the game here. It’s a dream come true.”

Scherzer’s teammate, Bryce Harper is batting sixth in his fifth All-Star start, the lowest he has been in the National League lineup since the No. 9 spot in 2013.

In a contract year that could be his last with Washington, Harper is hitting .214 with a .365 on-base percentage, .468 slugging percentage, 23 home runs and 54 RBI.

His .214 batting average is 60 points lower than the next-closest NL All-Star hitter, while his 23 home runs are one shy of the overall league lead.

“I look up there and see my average as well, and I look up there and go, ‘Aw man, well that sucks,”‘ Harper said Monday, hours before taking part in the Home Run Derby. “But I look over a little bit to the right side of that and see 23 homers and (54) RBI and 80 walks and runs scored and stuff like that. I don’t know.

“Should I be hitting .300 or .280? Yeah, absolutely. But I guess I am where I’m at, and hopefully the only way I can go is up.”

Boston right fielder Mookie Betts leads off for the AL, followed by the Astros second baseman Jose Altuve, Angels center fielder Mike Trout, Red Sox designated hitter J.D. Martinez, Indians third baseman Jose Ramirez, Yankees left fielder Aaron Judge, Orioles shortstop Manny Machado, White Sox first baseman Jose Abreu and Royals catcher Salvador Perez.

Cubs second baseman Javier Baez leads off for the NL, followed by Rockies third baseman Nolan Arenado, Diamondbacks DH Paul Goldschmidt, Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman, Dodgers left fielder Matt Kemp, Harper in center field, Braves right fielder Nick Markakis, Giants shortstop Brandon Crawford and Cubs catcher Willson Contreras.


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