2015 All-Star Game Open Thread

Hard to believe we’re at the All-Star Game already, isn’t it? Home field advantage in the World Series is on the line tonight, and you know what? That is actually relevant to the Yankees this year. The Yankees have the highest World Series odds in the AL and the third highest World Series odds in baseball according to FanGraphs. Considering how much better the Yankees are at home, yeah, I want Games One and Two of the Fall Classic in the Bronx.

Anyway, the Yankees have three All-Stars this year, the three handsome guys in the photo above. Neither Mark Teixeira nor Brett Gardner is in the starting lineup, though Gardner told Bryan Hoch he was told to be ready for the fifth inning. Dellin Betances said AL manager Ned Yost told him to be ready to pitch “somewhere in the middle” of the game according to Erik Boland, so after not pitching in the All-Star Game last year, it sounds like Dellin and his Kid ‘n Play haircut will get in the game tonight. Here are the starting lineups:

American League

1. CF Mike Trout, Angels
2. 3B Josh Donaldson, Blue Jays
3. 1B Albert Pujols, Angels
4. DH Nelson Cruz, Mariners
5. RF Lorenzo Cain, Royals
6. LF Adam Jones, Orioles
7. C Salvador Perez, Royals
8. 2B Jose Altuve, Astros
9. SS Alcides Escobar, Royals
   LHP Dallas Keuchel, Astros

National League

1. CF Andrew McCutchen, Pirates
2. 3B Todd Frazier, Reds
3. RF Bryce Harper, Nationals
4. 1B Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks
5. C Buster Posey, Giants
6. DH Anthony Rizzo, Cubs
7. SS Jhonny Peralta, Cardinals
8. LF Joc Pederson, Dodgers
9. 2B D.J. LeMahieu, Rockies (lolwut)
   RHP Zack Greinke, Dodgers

Felix Hernandez told Ryan Divish he is scheduled to pitch after Keuchel and Yost said Chris Sale will also pitch at some point, and that’s pretty much all we know about the pitching plans beyond Betances being prepared for the middle innings. The full All-Star rosters are right here.

Now, the bad news: it’s raining in Cincinnati. Or at least it was earlier this afternoon. The sky has cleared for the time being and it looks like they’ll be able to start the game on time. There is more rain in the forecast later tonight, however. The broadcast starts at 7pm ET but first pitch isn’t scheduled until 8:15pm ET — there are the baseline introductions and all that beforehand — and you can watch on FOX. Enjoy the game.