From the finest hurlers in the world to the best sluggers of this generation, the 2013 MLB All-Star Game has it all and everything is set for another epic showdown between the National League and American League's big guns Tuesday.
At last, big time baseball is back in New York and there's no better way to celebrate it than watching the brightest stars at their best on the grandest stage of the summer. Of course, the Summer Classic won't be the same without the fireworks and some serious longballs.
It will be an entertaining affair like no one has ever imagined. Yet, the spirit of competition will always be in the eyes of the participants. After all it's not just an exhibition match--it's a game in which home-field advantage in the World Series is at stake.
Jim Leyland, the manager of the reigning American League champion Detroit Tigers, is bringing up five guys from his team to spearhead the group. CY Young contender Max Scherzer (13-1 with 3.19 ERA) has been given the starting nod for the American League while Triple Crown winner Miguel Cabrera is expected to do some damage at the No.3 spot in the batting order.
Moreover, the American League boasts a deep unit of longball bombers with former home run king Jose Bautista, Red Sox veteran David Ortiz, and history-chaser Chris Davis out to make a big splash. The A.L. All-Star roster also has a plethora of great pitchers such as Felix Hernandez, Justin Masterson, and legendary closer Mariano Rivera, who will be playing his last All-Star game of his career.
On the other hand, the National League will feature veteran sluggers in the starting lineup, but a lot of youth in their reserves. New York Mets hurler Matt Harvey will be the starter for the NL All-Stars after going 7-2 with a 2.35 ERA and 147 strikeouts halfway into the season. Mets favorite David Wright will serve as a cleanup hitter while Bryce Harper is out to prove that he's the future face of the MLB.
No matter what happens tonight at Citi Field, the 84th edition of the Summer Classic will be always a part of great baseball memories.
Rosters
American League
Starting Lineup
Position Player Team
C Joe Mauer MIN
1B Chris Davis BAL
2B Robinson Cano NYY
3B Miguel Cabrera DET
SS J.J. Hardy BAL
OF Adam Jones BAL
OF Mike Trout LAA
OF Jose Bautista TOR
DH David Ortiz BOS
Pitchers
Position Player Team
RP Grant Balfour OAK
RP Brett Cecil TOR
RP Steve Delabar TOR
SP Felix Hernandez SEA
RP Greg Holland KC
SP Justin Masterson CLE
SP Matt Moore TB
RP Joe Nathan TEX
RP Glen Perkins MIN
RP Mariano Rivera NYY
SP Chris Sale CWS
SP Max Scherzer DET
SP Chris Tillman BAL
Reserves
Position Player Team
C Jason Castro HOU
C Salvador Perez KC
1B Prince Fielder DET
2B Jason Kipnis CLE
2B Dustin Pedroia BOS
2B Ben Zobrist TB
3B Manny Machado BAL
SS Jhonny Peralta DET
OF Nelson Cruz TEX
OF Alex Gordon KC
OF Torii Hunter DET
DH Edwin Encarnacion TOR
National League
Starting Lineup
Position Player Team
C Yadier Molina STL
1B Joey Votto CIN
2B Brandon Phillips CIN
3B David Wright NYM
SS Troy Tulowitzki COL
OF Carlos Beltran STL
OF Carlos Gonzalez COL
OF Bryce Harper WAS
Pitchers
Position Player Team
SP Madison Bumgarner SF
RP Aroldis Chapman CIN
SP Patrick Corbin ARI
SP Jose Fernandez MIA
RP Jason Grilli PIT
SP Matt Harvey NYM
SP Clayton Kershaw LAD
RP Craig Kimbrel ATL
SP Cliff Lee PHI
RP Mark Melancon PIT
RP Sergio Romo SF
SP Adam Wainwright STL
SP Travis Wood CHC
Reserves
Position Player Team
C Buster Posey SF
C Brian McCann ATL
1B Paul Goldschmidt ARI
1B Allen Craig STL
2B Matt Carpenter STL
2B Marco Scutaro SF
3B Pedro Alvarez PIT
SS Everth Cabrera SD
SS Jean Segura MIL
OF Domonic Brown PHI
OF Michael Cuddyer COL
OF Carlos Gomez MIL
OF Andrew McCutchen PIT
TV and Radio Schedule
Coverage of the MLB All-Star Game will start at 7:30 p.m EST on FOX with the game scheduled to begin at 8 p.m. EST.Radio Coverage of the MLB All-Star Game will begin at 7:00 p.m on ESPN Radio, ESPN Radio.com, and ESPNRadio Ap.
Live Streaming
Online Live Streaming is available on MLB.com (with subscriptions).