David J. Phillip/Associated Press The Major League Baseball All-Star Game rosters were completed Wednesday, as the 32nd players on the American and National League rosters were voted in by fans. Although there will be some roster turnover in the coming days due to injuries and rest for pitchers, each league enters Nationals Park Tuesday with 32 available players. On paper, the AL appears to have the more dynamic starting lineup, but the NL isn't struggling to find sluggers, as it possesses a formidable collection of home-run hitters who can change the game with one swing. The All-Star Game is strictly an exhibition now that home-field advantage for the World Series isn't awarded to the winner anymore, but there's still a good amount of strategy involved for both managers to deal with through nine innings or more. 2018 MLB All-Star Game Information Date: Tuesday, July 17 Video Play Button Videos you might like Time: 8 p.m. ET TV: Fox Rosters American League Starters Wilson Ramos. C, Tampa Bay Jose Abreu, 1B. Chicago White Sox Jose Altuve. 2B, Houston Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Manny Machado, SS, Baltimore Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees Mookie Betts, OF, Boston J.D. Martinez, OF, Boston Reserves Salvador Perez, C, Kansas City Mitch Moreland, 1B, Boston Jed Lowrie, 2B, Oakland Gleyber Torres, 2B, New York Yankees* Alex Bregman, 3B, Houston Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Jean Segura, SS, Seattle Michael Brantley, OF, Cleveland Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Texas Mitch Haniger, OF, Seattle George Springer, OF, Houston Nelson Cruz, DH, Seattle Pitchers Trevor Bauer, Cleveland Jose Berrios, Minnesota Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees Gerrit Cole, Houston Edwin Diaz, Seattle J.A. Happ, Toronto Joe Jimenez, Detroit Craig Kimbrel, Boston Corey Kluber, Cleveland Chris Sale, Boston Luis Severino, New York Yankees Blake Treinen, Oakland Justin Verlander, Detroit* National League Starters Willson Contreras, C, Chicago Cubs Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Javier Baez, 2B, Chicago Cubs Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Brandon Crawford, SS, San Francisco Nick Markakis, OF, Atlanta Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Reserves Yadier Molina, C, St. Louis Buster Posey, C, San Francisco* J.T. Realmuto, C, Miami Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Milwaukee Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Ozzie Albies, 2B, Atlanta Scooter Gennett, 2B, Cincinnati Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Cincinnati Trevor Story, SS, Colorado Charlie Blackmon, OF, Colorado Lorenzo Cain, OF, Milwaukee Christian Yelich, OF, Milwaukee Pitchers Patrick Corbin, Arizona Jacob deGrom, New York Mets Sean Doolittle, Washington* Mike Foltynewicz, Atlanta Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brad Hand, San Diego Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs Miles Mikolas, St. Louis* Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Max Scherzer, Washington Ross Stripling, Los Angeles Dodgers Felipe Vazquez, Pittsburgh *-denotes player won't be participating in All-Star Game. Final Vote Winners Add Depth At Respective Positions Milwaukee first baseman Jesus Aguilar and Seattle shortstop Jean Segura were added to their respective rosters Wednesday as winners of the final vote. The addition of both players brings depth to their respective positions on each roster, but it also makes life a bit more difficult for their managers when it comes to handing out playing time. The NL roster was already packed with first basemen before Aguilar was voted on to the team, and now NL manager Dave Roberts must be judicious with how he works in his three reserves at the position. Aaron Gash/Associated Press Atlanta's Freddie Freeman was voted in as the starter at first base, and like most starters have in past years, he'll play four or five innings before making way for a reserve. Arizona's Paul Goldschmidt and Cincinnati's Joey Votto are both reliable veterans with solid bats, which could lead to Roberts stashing one of them and Aguilar on the bench until the later innings. Another way Roberts can alleviate the stress of finding roles for the quartet of first basemen is to stick one in the designated hitter role. Over in the AL, manager A.J. Hinch needs to find a way to get three shortstops into the contest, with Segura joining starter Manny Machado of Baltimore and Cleveland's Francisco Lindor. Jae C. Hong/Associated Press Shortstop is the only infield position on the AL roster in which there's more than one reserve, which means Hinch could split time between Segura and Lindor in the latter part of the game, or keep the Mariners shortstop on the bench for a late pinch-hitting situation. Regardless of how the final vote honorees will be used Tuesday, they will play a part in the contest, as position players who aren't catchers rarely go unused in the All-Star Game. Figuring Out Batting Order For AL Starters Is No Easy Task If you take one glance over the list of starters in AL, it's hard to come up with a batting order that makes sense since all nine players could hit in the middle of the order. With an immense amount of star power that outmatches the NL starters on paper, the AL needs to get the most out of its lineup in the first few innings. Since he doesn't hit for as much power as the rest of the lineup, Houston second baseman Jose Altuve should bat either first or second to get on base and set the stage for the handful of sluggers at Hinch's disposal. After Altuve, Hinch has to configure six of the nine best home-run hitters in the AL into an order that makes sense. In order to capitalize on Altuve potentially reaching base, Boston's Mookie Betts or J.D. Martinez should be considered in the No. 2 hole, as they are first and third in the AL in batting average, with Altuve second on the list. Jim McIsaac/Getty Images With Mike Trout, Aaron Judge, Manny Machado and Jose Ramirez sitting in the middle of the order, the AL should have plenty of opportunities to get on the board early. Although they aren't the biggest names in baseball, Wilson Ramos and Jose Abreu could be key contributors at the bottom of the lineup in order to give Altuve one or two additional chances to get on base and for the sluggers to wreak havoc.<doc-sep>We're into July, which means the Major League Baseball All-Star Game is quickly approaching. On Sunday evening, MLB revealed the rosters for the 89th annual Midsummer Classic. The 2018 All-Star Game takes place Tuesday, July 17 in Washington D.C.'s Nationals Park. The Home Run Derby is the night before and things officially get started Sunday, July 15 with the Futures Game (rosters here). We've got seven things to know about the All-Star rosters that has background on how the teams are chosen, the roster construction, etc. Here are the rosters, followed by the Final Vote candidates for each league. Be sure to refresh this page, as results will continue to update throughout Sunday's selection show. In parentheses by each player is the number of All-Star trips now, including this year. National League Dodgers manager Dave Roberts will select at DH American League<doc-sep>USA TODAY Complete rosters for the American and National League All-Star Game. The 89th Midsummer Classic will be played Tuesday in Washington on Fox at 7:30 p.m. ET. (Rosters as of Friday, 4 pm ET): American League Starters C: Salvador Perez, Royals 1B: Jose Abreu, White Sox 2B: Jose Altuve, Astros 3B: Jose Ramirez, Indians SS: Manny Machado, Orioles OF: Mookie Betts, Red Sox OF: Mike Trout, Angels OF: Aaron Judge, Yankees DH: J.D. Martinez, Red Sox Reserves C: Wilson Ramos, Rays*, Yan Gomes, Indians** 1B: Mitch Moreland, Red Sox 2B: Gleyber Torres, Yankees*; Jed Lowrie, Athletics** 3B: Alex Bregman, Astros SS: Francisco Lindor, Indians; Jean Segura, Mariners (fan vote) OF: Michael Brantley, Indians; Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers; Mitch Haniger, Mariners; George Springer, Astros; Nelson Cruz, Mariners Starting pitchers RH Trevor Bauer, Indians***; RH Jose Berrios, Twins; RH Gerrit Cole, Astros; LH J.A. Happ, Blue Jays; RH Corey Kluber*, Indians; RH Charlie Morton, Astros**; LH Chris Sale, Red Sox; RH Luis Severino, Yankees; LH Blake Snell, Rays**; RH Justin Verlander, Astros (inactive) Relief pitchers LH Aroldis Chapman*, Yankees; RH Edwin Diaz, Mariners; RH Joe Jimenez, Tigers; RH Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox; RH Blake Treinen, Athletics National League Starters C: Willson Contreras, Cubs 1B: Freddie Freeman, Braves 2B: Javier Baez, Cubs 3B: Nolan Arenado, Rockies SS: Brandon Crawford, Giants OF: Nick Markakis, Braves OF: Matt Kemp, Dodgers OF: Bryce Harper, Nationals Reserves C: Yadier Molina, Cardinals**; Buster Posey, Giants*; C: J.T. Realmuto, Marlins 1B: Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks; Joey Votto, Reds; Jesus Aguilar, Brewers (fan vote) 2B: Ozzie Albies, Braves; Scooter Gennett, Reds 3B: Eugenio Suarez, Reds SS: Trevor Story, Rockies OF: Charlie Blackmon, Rockies; Lorenzo Cain, Brewers; Christian Yelich, Brewers Starting pitchers LH Patrick Corbin, Diamondbacks; RH Jacob deGrom, Mets; RH Mike Foltynewicz, Braves; RH Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks***; LH Jon Lester (inactive), Cubs; RH Miles Mikolas, Cardinals (inactive); RH Aaron Nola, Phillies; RH Max Scherzer, Nationals; RH Ross Stripling, Dodgers*** Relief pitchers LH Sean Doolittle, Nationals*; LH Josh Hader, Brewers; LH Brad Hand, Padres; RH Kenley Jansen, Dodgers; RH Jeremy Jeffress, Brewers**; LH Felipe Vazquez, Pirates * Injured ** Injury replacement *** Replaces inactive player<doc-sep>The first half of the Major League Baseball season was dominated by a trio of American League powerhouses, and that was reflected in rosters for the 89th All-Star Game that were revealed on Sunday. The East-leading Boston Red Sox, Central-leading Cleveland Indians and defending World Series champion Houston Astros each placed five players on the AL squad, while the similarly dominant New York Yankees have four representatives - including a young star not yet three months into his career. While there are still plenty of moving parts as players are replaced due to injury and other circumstances before the July 17 game at Washington's Nationals Park, here are the starters and reserves named (statistics through Saturday): American League starters C Wilson Ramos, Rays Appearance: Second. Age: 30 Why he's an All-Star: Ramos, the former National who tore his ACL a week before the 2016 NL Division Series, returns to Washington as an All-Star. An All-Star in 2016, Ramos is one of the more productive offensive catchers, leading AL backstops in batting (.289) and second in OPS (.802). Fun fact: Ramos worked Max Scherzer's two no-hitters and his 20-strikeout game. Reserve: Salvador Perez, Royals 1B Jose Abreu, White Sox Appearance: Second. Age: 31 Why he's an All-Star: Despite a June slump, he is batting .259 and leads AL first basemen with 50 RBI and is fourth with a .766 OPS. Fun fact: Abreu is the first White Sox player to be voted by the fans into the All-Star Game since Frank Thomas in 1996 and just the sixth in franchise history. Reserve: Mitch Moreland, Red Sox 2B Jose Altuve, Astros Appearance: Sixth. Age: 28 Why he's an All-Star: With 121 hits at the break, the reigning AL MVP is on pace for his fifth straight 200-hit season. Fun fact: Altuve logged 1,272 hits in his first 1,000 games. Of the 25 players ever to collect more in that span, 18 are in the Hall of Fame. Reserve: Gleyber Torres, Yankees 3B Jose Ramirez, Indians Appearance: Second. Age: 25 Why he's an All-Star: Ramirez is making a strong case for the AL MVP up against Mike Trout and Mookie Betts. Since May 1, Ramirez has slugged 17 homers, putting him on a 50-homer pace. He is one of four players with at least 20 home runs (25) and doubles (24) and ranks fourth in the majors in OPS (.991). Fun fact: In 2017, Ramirez finished third in AL MVP voting behind Altuve and Aaron Judge. Reserve: Alex Bregman, Astros SS Manny Machado, Orioles Appearance: Fourth. Age: 26 Why he's an All-Star: After his first five full seasons as a Gold Glove third baseman, Machado leads a deep position in RBI (60) and is fourth in OPS (.936). Fun fact: He's the brother-in-law to Indians first baseman Yonder Alonso. Reserve: Francisco Lindor, Indians OF Mookie Betts, Red Sox Appearance: Third. Age: 25 Why he's an All-Star: An AL MVP candidate, Betts is the ultimate leadoff hitter with bona fide power. With 22 home runs and a league-leading at-bat/home run ratio (12.31), he is on pace for a career-high 39 homers. He also leads the league in in slugging (.679), OPS (1.112). Fun fact: He was named after former NBA point guard Mookie Blaylock and the nephew to former MLB player Terry Shumpert. OF Mike Trout, Angels Appearance: Seventh. Age: 27 Why he's an All-Star: Trout is the best position player in the majors and is having another MVP-type season. He’s threatening to surpass Babe Ruth for the greatest Wins Above Replacement season ever produced. Fun fact: Trout has made the All-Star team every year since his rookie season in 2012. OF Aaron Judge, Yankees Appearance: Second. Age: 26 Why he's an All-Star: Judge has overpowered the sophomore slump thus far. Despite being slightly off his home run pace from last season, he's on pace for a second straight 40-homer, 100-RBI season. Fun fact: Judge slugged 52 home runs in 2017, breaking Mark McGwire's MLB rookie record of 49 and the Yankees' full-season rookie record, previously held by Joe DiMaggio with 29. Reserves: Michael Brantley, Indians; Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers; Mitch Haniger, Mariners; George Springer, Astros. DH J.D. Martinez, Red Sox Appearance: Second. Age: 30 Why he's an All-Star: Martinez is a Triple Crown threat who has proven he's best free agent signing in the offseason. He leads the majors in homers (27), RBI (74) and total bases (212) and ranks fourth in the AL in batting (.329). Fun fact: Martinez became the 18th player in MLB history to hit four home runs in a game in 2017. Reserve: Nelson Cruz, Mariners. AL pitchers Starters: Trevor Bauer, Indians; Jose Berrios, Twins; Gerrit Cole, Astros, J.A. Happ, Blue Jays; Corey Kluber, Indians; Chris Sale, Red Sox; Luis Severino, Yankees; Justin Verlander, Astros (inactive). Relievers: Aroldis Chapman, Yankees; Edwin Diaz, Mariners; Joe Jimenez, Tigers; Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox; Blake Treinen, Athletics. AL final vote Andrew Benintendi, OF, Red Sox; Eddie Rosario, OF, Twins; Giancarlo Stanton, OF, Yankees; Jean Segura, SS, Mariners; Andrelton Simmons, SS, Angels. National League starters C Willson Contreras, Cubs Appearance: First. Age: 26 Why he's an All-Star: Contreras edged Buster Posey in fan voting at the wire, and has perhaps surpassed the Giants catcher as the premier offensive backstop in the NL. He matches Posey's .371 on-base percentage but is outslugging him .469 to .420, and has emerged as a rock on the Cubs. Fun fact: Contreras made perhaps the best use of an off day this season when he and Andrea Villamazar were married at Chicago's City Hall on May 4. Reserves: Buster Posey, Giants, J.T. Realmuto, Marlins 1B Freddie Freeman, Braves Appearance: Third. Age: 28 Why he's an All-Star: He's the people's choice, the top vote-getter in the NL. Freeman, with 105 hits, leads all first baseman with a .310 batting average. Fun fact: Freeman was rescued by former teammate and Hall of Famer Chipper Jones when he was stranded on the interstate after a rare winter storm paralyzed Atlanta in January 2014. Reserve: Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks, Joey Votto, Reds 2B Javier Baez, Cubs Appearance: First. Age: 21<doc-sep>
Gene J. Puskar/Associated Press It's difficult to look at the 2018 All-Star Game and predict that this is the year the National League turns things around against the American League. The American League has dominated over the short term and the long term. The Junior Circuit has won five games in a row and is on a 23-6-1 run over the last 30 years. As a result, the series is tied at 43-43-2, and the American League can take a lead in the series for the first time since 1963 if it can win Tuesday night at Nationals Park in Washington. That's one of the storylines of this year's All-Star Game, and while it may not be headline material to many who view it as a meaningless exhibition, that's not the case to those who have followed the history of the sport. 2018 MLB All-Star Game Information Date: Tuesday, July 17 Time: 8 p.m. ET Video Play Button Videos you might like TV: Fox Rosters American League Starters Wilson Ramos. C, Tampa Bay Jose Abreu, 1B. Chicago White Sox Jose Altuve. 2B, Houston Jose Ramirez, 3B, Cleveland Manny Machado, SS, Baltimore Mike Trout, OF, Los Angeles Angels Aaron Judge, OF, New York Yankees Mookie Betts, OF, Boston J.D. Martinez, OF, Boston Reserves Salvador Perez, C, Kansas City Mitch Moreland, 1B, Boston Jed Lowrie, 2B, Oakland Gleyber Torres, 2B, New York Yankees* Alex Bregman, 3B, Houston Francisco Lindor, SS, Cleveland Jean Segura, SS, Seattle Michael Brantley, OF, Cleveland Shin-Soo Choo, OF, Texas Mitch Haniger, OF, Seattle George Springer, OF, Houston Nelson Cruz, DH, Seattle Pitchers Trevor Bauer, Cleveland Jose Berrios, Minnesota Aroldis Chapman, New York Yankees Gerrit Cole, Houston Edwin Diaz, Seattle J.A. Happ, Toronto Joe Jimenez, Detroit Craig Kimbrel, Boston Corey Kluber, Cleveland Chris Sale, Boston Luis Severino, New York Yankees Blake Treinen, Oakland Justin Verlander, Detroit* National League Starters Willson Contreras, C, Chicago Cubs Freddie Freeman, 1B, Atlanta Javier Baez, 2B, Chicago Cubs Nolan Arenado, 3B, Colorado Brandon Crawford, SS, San Francisco Nick Markakis, OF, Atlanta Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers Bryce Harper, OF, Washington Reserves Yadier Molina, C, St. Louis Buster Posey, C, San Francisco* J.T. Realmuto, C, Miami Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Milwaukee Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Ozzie Albies, 2B, Atlanta Scooter Gennett, 2B, Cincinnati Eugenio Suarez, 3B, Cincinnati Trevor Story, SS, Colorado Charlie Blackmon, OF, Colorado Lorenzo Cain, OF, Milwaukee Christian Yelich, OF, Milwaukee Jesus Aguilar, 1B, Milwaukee Pitchers Patrick Corbin, Arizona Jacob deGrom, New York Mets Sean Doolittle, Washington* Mike Foltynewicz, Atlanta Josh Hader, Milwaukee Brad Hand, San Diego Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers Jon Lester, Chicago Cubs* Miles Mikolas, St. Louis* Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Max Scherzer, Washington Ross Stripling, Los Angeles Dodgers Felipe Vazquez, Pittsburgh Zack Greinke, Arizona Jeremy Jeffress, Milwaukee *-denotes player won't be participating in All-Star Game. The American League started off the All-Star Game series as the dominant league, and that's no surprise considering it had stars like Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams. However, the National League turned things around in the 1950's and dominated the series completely in the 1960s and '70s. The National League went on a 19-1 run from 1963 through 1982, as players like Willie Mays, Hank Aaron, Roberto Clemente, Johnny Bench and Pete Rose were simply better than their American League counterparts. They also had a huge edge on the mound with pitchers that included Warren Spahn, Juan Marichal, Bob Gibson, Sandy Koufax, Don Drysdale and Ferguson Jenkins. If the talent gap didn't tell the whole story, it was a player like Rose, who left everything on the field in each game. He would also implore his National League teammates to not let their American League opponents win even a single game. The American League finally turned it around in 1983 with an overpowering 13-3 win at Comiskey Park in Chicago. The turning point came in the third inning when Fred Lynn of the California Angels hit the first, and to this point, only Grand Slam in the history of the All-Star Game. It was as if a poisonous boil had been lanced, and the American League finally got healthy. In addition to the historical aspect of the All-Star Game, much of the focus will be on Washington's Bryce Harper and Max Scherzer.