2011 MLB All-Star Rosters Announced With Four Texas Rangers Being Selected

The 82^nd All-Star game lineups have been announced and the teams will be led by the two managers that took

their respected ball clubs to the World Series last season in Texas’ Ron Washington and San Francisco’s Bruce Bochy. Since the All-Star game dictates whether the National League or American League team gets home-field advantage in the World Series there’s an added pressure to win the game, explaining the rise in more deserving relievers earning themselves a selection.

The game will be played July 12 at Chase Field, home of the Arizona Diamondbacks, and following last year’s rule changes this will be the first time the designated hitter will be used in a NL park. There are 34 spots on each roster, with 13 going to pitchers. Every team must also be represented, which adds a level of difficulty in making final decisions. The NL finally won the game last season for its first victory since 1996.

American League Starting Line-up:

The AL starting line-up will consist of Detroit’s Alex Avila (1) behind the plate. Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez (4) will handle the first base duties surrounded by an infield full of New York Yankees as Robinson Cano (3) is at second, Derek Jeter (12) is at short and Alex Rodriguez (14) will play third.  The outfield is full of sluggers with Toronto’s Jose Bautista (2), the Ranger’s Josh Hamilton (4) and New York’s Curtis Granderson (2) patrolling Chase Field.  Boston’s David Ortiz (6) will serve as the team’s designated hitter.

AL Reserves:

The American League Reserves feature a pair of Texas Rangers in utility infielder Michael Young (7) and third baseman Adrian Beltre (2). The other infield reserves consist of Yankees Cather Russell Martin (3), Baltimore Cather Matt Wieters (1), Detroit First Baseman Miguel Cabrera (6) Angels Second Baseman Howie Kendrick (1) and Cleveland shortstop Asdrubal Cabrera (1). The outfield reserves are comprised off Minnesota’s Michael Cuddyer (1), Boston’s Jacoby Ellsbury (1), Tampa Bay’s Matt Joyce (1) and Carlos Quentin (2) of the Chicago White Sox.

AL Pitching Staff:

The AL pitching staff features three southpaws in the Rangers C.J. Wilson (1), Oakland’s Gio Gonzalez (1) and Tampa Bay’s David Price (2). Price will be joined by teammate James Shields (1) as fellow right handed pitchers Josh Beckett (3) of the Red Sox, Kansas City’s Aaron Crow (1), Seattle’s Felix Hernandez (2) and Brandon League (1), Cleveland’s Chris Perez (1), NY’s Mariano Rivera (12), Los Angeles’ Jered Weaver (2), and Detroit closes it out with Jose Valverde (3) and Justin Verlander (4).

National League Starting Line-up:

The NL starting line-up will have the Braves Brian McCann (6) behind the plate, Milwaukee’s Prince Fielder (3) will play first and should feel a certain level of comfort with teammate Rickie Weeks (1) at second, Philadelphia’s Placido Polanco (2) will play third and the Mets Jose Reyes (4) will round out the infield at shortstop. The Brewer’s Ryan Braun (4), the Dodgers Matt Kemp (1) and the revitalized Lance Berkman (6) of the Cardinals will handle the starting outfield duties.

NL Reserves:

Houston’s lone All-Star selection came in outfielder Hunter Pence (2). Joining pence in alphabetical order are outfielder Jay Bruce (1) of the Reds, the Mets Carlos Beltran (6), Cubs shortstop Starlin Castro (1), St. Louis outfielder Matt Holliday (5), Atlanta third baseman Chipper Jones (7), Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina (3), Cincinnati second baseman Brandon Phillips (2), Florida first baseman Gaby Sanchez (1), Colorado Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2), Cincinnati first baseman Joey Votto (2) and Arizona outfielder Justin Upton (2).

NL Pitching Staff:

The National League will have four southpaws on their staff with a pair of teammates in Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels (2) and Cliff Lee (3). The other two lefties on the squad are the Dodgers Clayton Kershaw (1) and the Braves Jonny Venters (1). The remainder of the pitching staff is comprised off San Diego’s Heath Bell (3), the Giants Matt Cain (2), Washington’s Tyler Clippard (1), Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay (8), Pittsburgh’s Joel Hanrahan (1), Atlanta’s Jair Jurrjens (1), and San Francisco teammates Tim Lincecum (4), Ryan Vogelsong (1) and Brian Wilson (3).

The Yankees have the most selections in the American League at 6 heading to the desert in Jeter, Rodriguez, Cano, Granderson, Martin, and closer Mariano Rivera. Boston, Detroit and the Rangers all had 4 selections. Texas’ 4 selections were Beltre, Hamilton, Wilson and Young.

The National League All-Star selections were led by Philadelphia, Atlanta and San Francisco who all had 4 selections, with all the Giants players being pitchers. Milwaukee and Cincinnati both had three selections.

The starting pitchers and line-ups could change between now and the All-Star game July 12^th due to injuries, but for now this is how it stands. The 34 All-Star member of each squad can still be voted on through Thursday by visiting MLB.com

On the ballot for the extra AL player are outfielders Alex Gordon of Kansas City and Adam Jones of Baltimore, White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, Detroit DH Victor Martinez and Tampa Bay second baseman Ben Zobrist.

Candidates for the final NL spot are outfielders Andre Ethier of the Dodgers, Mike Morse of the Nationals and Shane Victorino of the Phillies, first baseman Todd Helton of Colorado and pitcher Ian Kennedy of the Diamondbacks.

**The numbers in parentheses indicates the number off All-Star appearances for that player.