MLB All-Star Game Lineup 2012: Most Dangerous Hitters to Watch for on Tuesday

The All-Star Game is supposed to be just a midseason dose of fun for the players and the fans, but that doesn't mean that nobody is going to take it seriously. 

Home-field advantage for the World Series is on the line here, so none of these hitters are planning on taking it easy on the best pitchers in the game. In particular, all of the players whose teams are in serious contention for a playoff spot will be looking to make it rain home runs at Kauffman Stadium on Tuesday night. 

Here's a look at the top hitters to fear during this year's All-Star Game. You can see the full lineups for the AL and the NL below.

Carlos Gonzales (Colorado, NL)

The NL squad's leadoff hitter currently leads the league in runs scored with 61, so keeping him off the basepaths will a priority for Justin Verlander and the rest of the AL's pitching staff.

Plus, since the Rockies are currently in second-to-last place in the NL West, this might be Gonzales' only chance to play for something all season. He's currently hitting .330 with 17 homers and 58 RBI, so Verlander will have to set the tone early and keep Gonzales at bay if he wants his squad to have any hope of keeping the American League contained.

Ryan Braun (Milwaukee, NL)

Whether you're happy with Braun's participation in the All-Star festivities given his PED struggles in the offseason, you have to admit that the Brewers slugger has certainly made strides in clearing his name. Braun tested positive for a performance-enhancing drug prior to the 2012 season, and although he appealed his 50-game suspension and won, fans still have their doubts about whether he's clean.

Apparently, Braun felt like he needed to do a little something extra to prove himself, even after winning his appeal. He's belted a league-leading 24 home runs this season with a .306 average and 61 RBI, and hitting in the three-hole for the NL, he bodes to be big trouble for AL pitchers.

Josh Hamilton (Texas, AL)

In a starting lineup that features six players from either the Yankees or the Rangers, Hamilton—hitting third—is one of the biggest highlights. The up-and-down Rangers slugger has 27 homers this year, tied for the league lead with Jose Bautista (hitting fourth). Though he hasn't had a four-homer game like that one time back in May, he's still been pretty impressive for the Rangers, who are tied with the Yankees for the most wins in baseball (52).

You have to believe that Hamilton, along with his Yankees/Rangers comrades, is going to be fighting hard for a win on Tuesday night—by all indications, New York and Texas will be the ones battling it out for a berth to the World Series in October, so there's a lot on the line. Hamilton is the best power hitter on the AL squad and will be his side's answer to Braun. If he can contribute a homer or two, this team will be in very good shape.

All-Star Game Lineups

National League

1. Carlos Gonzales, DH

2. Melky Cabrera, CF

3. Ryan Braun, LF

4. Joey Votto, 1B

5. Carlos Beltran, RF

6. Buster Posey, C

7. Pablo Sandoval, 3B

8. Dan Uggla, 2B

9. Rafael Furcal, SS

SP: Matt Cain

American League 

1. Derek Jeter, SS

2. Robinson Cano, 2B

3. Josh Hamilton, LF

4. Jose Bautista, RF

5. Prince Fielder, 1B

6. Adrian Beltre, 3B

7. David Ortiz, DH

8. Mike Napoli, C

9. Curtis Granderson, CF

SP: Justin Verlander