The best thing about tonight’s All-Star Game is that this time, for the first time in 15 years, it doesn’t “count” — no more World Series home field from the result of this game. Thus the players can just relax and enjoy their evening in Miami and the rest of us can enjoy the game as the exhibition it’s supposed to be.
Here are today’s particulars.
American League lineup:
Altuve 2B, Ramirez 3B, Judge RF, Springer LF, Correa SS, Smoak 1B, Dickerson DH, Perez C, Betts CF
National League lineup:
Blackmon CF, Stanton DH, Harper RF, Posey C, Murphy 2B, Arenado 3B, Zimmerman 1B, Ozuna LF, Cozart SS
Max Scherzer vs. Chris Sale
This marks the second career Midsummer Classic start for Max Scherzer, a five-time All-Star in his 10-year big-league career. As a member of the Tigers, Scherzer started the 2013 All-Star Game at Citi Field in New York for the American League, throwing one inning with a strikeout. The two-time Cy Young Award winner will become the fifth pitcher to make an All-Star start in each league, joining Vida Blue (A.L. – 1971, 1975; N.L. – 1978); Roger Clemens (A.L. – 1986, 2001; N.L. – 2004); Roy Halladay (A.L. – 2009; N.L. – 2011); and Randy Johnson (A.L. – 1995, 1997; N.L. – 2000, 2001).
Tonight will be the second All-Star start for Chris Sale, a six-time All-Star in his eight-year big-league career. The Florida native started the 2016 Midsummer Classic in San Diego as a member of the Chicago White Sox, pitching one inning and allowing one hit and one run (a home run by the Cubs’ Kris Bryant) with one strikeout. The 28-year-old will become the 16th different pitcher to make consecutive All-Star starts, the first since Johnson (2000-01) and the first in the A.L. since Dave Stieb (1983-84). In addition, Sale will become the first pitcher in All-Star history to make consecutive starts for different teams.
Today's game is on Fox. Announcers: Joe Buck, John Smoltz, Tom Verducci and Ken Rosenthal.
Here is the complete MLB.com Mediacenter for today.
Baseball-reference.com game preview
SB Nation game All-Star Game news, notes and features
This will be the only thread for tonight’s game. Enjoy, and discuss amongst yourselves.