KANSAS CITY, MO. -- The American League has owned a decided edge in interleague play in recent years, but the National League has won the past two All-Star games and the past two World Series.
Tonight the AL will be trying to reverse that trend at Kauffman Stadium in another All-Star Game to decide home-field advantage in the World Series.
Both lineups are stacked with the usual array of superstars, but in many ways, the most compelling drama could come in the middle to late innings. That's when Mike Trout, Bryce Harper, R.A. Dickey, Chipper Jones and the Twins' Joe Mauer could have their chance to make an impact.
Mauer, the lone Twins representative, is 2-for-8 with a double and a walk in nine career All-Star plate appearances. AL manager Ron Washington has two backup catching options on the bench, in Mauer and Baltimore's Matt Wieters, so it'll be interesting to see how this plays out.
For more on Mauer and former Twins closer Joe Nathan, click here. And for more on Dickey, click here.
NATIONAL LEAGUE (42-38-2)
1. Carlos Gonzalez, DH
2. Melky Cabrera, CF
3. Ryan Braun, LF
4. Joey Votto, 1B
5. Carlos Beltran, RF
6. Buster Posey, C
7. Pablo Sandoval, 3B
8. Dan Uggla, 2B
9. Rafael Furcal, SS
Starting pitcher: RH Matt Cain (9-3, 2.62 ERA)
AMERICAN LEAGUE (38-42-2)
