have brought in Reynolds to share time with him.

Edge: Royals. I haven't given up on Hosmer. If he can get back to his 2013 numbers -- .302, 17 home runs -- he gets the nod.

Second base: Omar Infante versus Kolten Wong

We have a 33-year-old coming off a sub-.300 OBP versus a 24-year-old coming off a sub-.300 OBP. Go with the potential. Wong has some pop, some speed and the ability to be average or better defensively. If he can consolidate his skills, work a little on the plate discipline and showcase the power he displayed in the postseason on a consistent basis, he has All-Star potential.

Edge: Cardinals.

Third base: Mike Moustakas versus Matt Carpenter

Carpenter has hit .296/.384/.429 the past two seasons while scoring the most runs in the majors.Moustakas' batting averages since reaching the majors: .263, .242, .233, .212. It ain't working.

Edge: Cardinals.

Shortstop: Alcides Escobar versus Jhonny Peralta

For years, statistical analysts kept arguing that Peralta was underrated, that his defense was actually better than he was given credit for. When he signed with the Cardinals as a free agent, the contract was heavily criticized considering Peralta was coming off a PED suspension. Instead, he had a good season, finished 14th in the MVP voting and a lot of new people were saying his defense was better than he'd been given credit for. Escobar is at times an electrifying defender although the defensive metrics don't rate him as an elite fielder. He doesn't have much power and doesn't walk, so his offense is all batting average-driven.

Edge: Cardinals.