Tonight at 8:00 p.m., Major League Baseball's showcase of top talent will kick off between the American League and National League in the 2013 All-Star Game, which can be live streamed here.
[LISTEN: RADIO MLB ALL-STAR GAME 2013: LIVE ON ESPN]
The National League shellacked the American League last season, and will look to ride the momentum provided by starter Matt Harvey (7-2, 2.35 ERA), who will be pitching in front of his own fans at Citi Field.
Behind Harvey is a formidable group of mashers that Bochy has organized as follows:
1. Brandon Phillips, 2B
2. Carlos Beltran, RF
3. Joey Votto, 1B
4. David Wright, 3B
5. Carlos Gonzalez, LF
6. Yadier Molina, C
7. Troy Tulowitzki, SS
8. Michael Cuddyer, DH
9. Bryce Harper, CF
Opposing Harvey for the American League will be undefeated Detroit Tigers strikeout artist Max Scherzer (13-0, 3.19 ERA). He will play in front of a power-laden lineup that looks like this:
1. Mike Trout, LF
2. Robinson Cano, 2B
3. Miguel Cabrera, 3B
4. Chris Davis, 1B
5. Jose Bautista, RF
6. David Ortiz, DH
7. Adam Jones, CF
8. Joe Mauer, C
9. J.J. Hardy, SS
The American League roster boasts the top two home run hitters in MLB, Davis (37) and Cabrera (30), who also happen to be No. 1 and No. 2 in RBI, although the places reverse in that category. On top of that excellence, Cabrera just happens to be leading all of baseball in batting average too, clocking in at a torrid .365.
While the NL lineup possesses power, they represent a more old-school construction, full of high-average line-drive smashers. They will rely on the energy of the home fans who came to see Harvey and Wright.
Another storyline to keep an eye on will be the All-Star Game swan song of Yankees closer Mariano Rivera, who has announced he is retiring after this season. The 43-year-old all-time great will appear in his 14th All-Star Game in 19 seasons, and some fans even wanted him to start.
In typical Rivera fashion, however, he graciously accepted the warm wishes but said his job is to close games, and with World Series home field advantage riding on the outcome he must fulfill his duties the right way.
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