MLB Futures Game 2012: Start Time, Live Stream, TV Schedule and More

All of the baseball's world attention during All-Star weekend is generally on the MLB All-Star game and the Home Run Derby, but for the true baseball junkies among us, nothing is better than the MLB Futures Game.

It's the chance to see the stars of tomorrow compete, and players in this game are generally pretty close to making Major League splashes.

This year will have some truly exciting pitching prospects, including Gerrit Cole, Danny Hultzen and Dylan Bundy, all pitching for the American side.

Below you'll find everything you need to know heading into this year's Futures Game.

Enjoy.

Viewing Information

Date	Venue	Start Time	TV	Radio	Streaming
Sunday, July 8th	Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City	5:00 p.m. ET	ESPN2	MLB Network Radio XM 89	MLB.com

What They're Saying

Alongside Cole, Hultzen and Bundy, the American side has quite a deadly lineup, as Jonathan Mayo of MLB.com noted:

"

Billy Hamilton is the U.S. leadoff hitter and he brings with him an astounding 104 stolen bases in just 82 California League games. If he and No. 2 hitter Kolten Wong of the Cardinals can get on, [Wil] Myers, with his Minor League-leading 27 homers, and the Rangers' Mike Olt, who will bring his 22 homers to the cleanup spot, have a good chance of bringing them home.

"

I don't envy the World pitchers with those four atop the lineup. That's brutal.

Player to Watch: Oscar Taveras, RF, World

Other than the players listed above, Taveras—who is in the St. Louis Cardinals farm system—is a man you'll want to watch.

The 20-year-old will be hitting third for the World team and for good reason—he's in the top five in seven different Texas League offensive categories and for the year is hitting .322 with 17 home runs and 63 RBI.

Just call him Oscar "Triple Crown" Taveras, because that's what he might accomplish this year.

He'll certainly catch your eye at the Futures Game.

Prediction

The World Team has some exciting talent, but the pitching depth and top of the U.S. lineup seems too tough to overcome.

Team United States will win out in this one, 5-2.

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