Justin Verlander named AL starter for All-Star Game

Major League Baseball announced Monday that Justin Verlander will be the starting pitcher for the American League in Tuesday's All-Star Game.

Verlander, the reigning Cy Young and MVP winner, is making his fifth All-Star appearance, but this will be the first time he gets the starting nod. The Tigers ace is 9-5 with a 2.58 ERA. He is tied for the most strikeouts in Major League Baseball this season with 128.

Verlander is the first Tigers pitcher to start the midsummer classic since Kenny Rogers did so in 2006.

Verlander will square off against San Francisco Giants pitcher Matt Cain, who will be starting for the National League. Cain is 9-3 with a 2.62 ERA, pitched a perfect game against Houston on June 13.

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.

The All-Star Game takes place Tuesday night at 8:00 pm in Kansas City.