Harper bats sixth, Scherzer vs. Sale to start all-star game

WASHINGTON — Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper will bat sixth for the National League in Major League Baseball’s all-star game in his home ballpark.

Harper is hitting .214 with a

.365 on-base percentage, .468 slugging percentage, 23 home runs and 54 RBIs. Despite his hitting struggles, Harper is an all-star — voted in by fans — for the sixth time in his seven-year major league career.

Nationals teammate Max Scherzer will take the mound for the National League as expected with Los Angeles Dodgers manager Dave Roberts saying it’s good for baseball and for the country to give him the ball. Scherzer (12-5) has a 2.41 ERA and a league-high 182 strikeouts.

Scherzer is the 14th player in MLB history to start the all-star game for three different teams after doing so previously with the Arizona Diamondbacks and Detroit Tigers.

Boston Red Sox left-hander Chris Sale opens for the American League, his third consecutive all-star game start. He’s the third player to do that, following Lefty Gomez and Robin Roberts.

Sale and Scherzer started the game against each other last season, too. It’s the first time there have been back-to-back all-star games with the same pitching matchup since 1940.

Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts will hit leadoff for the AL, with teammate J.D. Martinez batting cleanup. Javier Baez will hit first for the NL with Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman batting fourth.

Tuesday’s game begins at 8 p.m.