American League All-Star Prince Fielder #28 of the Detroit Tigers hugs teammate and American League All-Star Justin Verlander #35 after Fielder batted in the final round during the State Farm Home Run Derby at Kauffman Stadium on July 9, 2012 in Kansas City, Missouri.
(July 8, 2012 – Source: Jamie Squire/Getty Images North America)
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) — Detroit’s Justin Verlander will start for the American League in Tuesday night’s All-Star game against San Francisco’s Matt Cain.
As the All-Stars return to Kansas City for the first time since 1973, the AL’s batting order has Derek Jeter leading off and playing shortstop, followed by Yankees teammate Robinson Cano at second base, Texas left fielder Josh Hamilton, Toronto right fielder Jose Bautista, Detroit first baseman Prince Fielder, Texas third baseman Adrian Beltre, Boston designated Hitter David Ortiz, Texas catcher Mike Napoli and Yankees center fielder Curtis Granderson.
The NL has Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez leading off as the DH, followed by San Francisco center fielder Melky Cabrera, Milwaukee left fielder Ryan Braun, Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto, St. Louis right fielder Carlos Beltran, Giants catcher Buster Posey, San Francisco third baseman Pedro Sandoval, Atlanta second baseman Dan Uggla and St. Louis shortstop Rafael Furcal.
Braun, who finished fourth in NL outfielder voting, takes the place of the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp, on the disabled list because of a strained left hamstring.
Verlander, the reigning AL MVP and Cy Young Award winner, is 9-5 with a 2.58 ERA. He is the first All-Star starter who has won Rookie of the Year, Cy Young and MVP.
Cain, 9-3 with a 2.62 ERA, pitched a perfect game against Houston on June 13. He was picked over the Mets’ R.A. Dickey, who is 12-1 but throws a knuckleball that could pose a challenge for Posey.
