2013 MLB All-Star Game Roster – Comparing Each League's Starters

The starting pitchers have been named and the lineup cards have been submitted as the MLB is set to show off its all-stars on Tuesday night at Citi Field in New York.

While both team’s lineups are star-studded, let’s take a look at which starters have the edge at each position.

 

Starting Pitcher

AL – Max Scherzer, DET

13-1, 3.19 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 152 K/31 BB

NL – Matt Harvey, NYM

7-2, 2.35 ERA, 0.92 WHIP, 147 K/28 BB

 

As the two breakout pitching stars of 2013, both Scherzer and Harvey are very deserved of being named their league’s starting pitchers. Both have very similar WHIP and K/BB ratios, while the glaring differences in their stats to date are their records and ERA. Scherzer began the year with an incredible 13-0 record before the Rangers handed him his first loss on Friday evening. However, he’s giving up more than three runs a game, and his 3.19 ERA only has him ranked 26th in the MLB. Harvey sits fourth in ERA at 2.35, yet only has seven wins on the season. That’s what happens when you play for the New York Mets.

 

Edge: Matt Harvey

 

Catcher

AL – Joe Mauer

.320 (AVG) /.402 (OBP) /.473 (SLG), 8 HR, 32 RBI.

NL – Yadier Molina

.341/.386/.489, 7 HR, 49 RBI

 

Both Mauer and Molina are having tremendous seasons. For Mauer, this is nothing new, as he routinely posts these kinds of numbers season after season (when healthy). While Molina is getting better each year at the plate, he’s still only a career .284 hitter, making this year’s .341 average even more remarkable. This is his year.

 

Edge: Yadier Molina

 

First Base

AL – Chris Davis, BAL

.315/.392/.717, 37 HR, 93 RBI.

NL – Joey Votto, CIN

.318/.434/.506, 15 HR, 42 RBI.

 

Joey Votto is putting together another very nice season. Chris Davis is on pace to break the (non-steroid user) home run record. This one is obvious.

 

Edge: Chris Davis

 

Second Base

AL – Robinson Cano

.302/.386/.531, 21 HR, 65 RBI

NL – Brandon Phillips

.266/.320/.413, 12 HR, 74 RBI

 

Despite his poor batting average, Phillips does lead all MLB second basemen in RBI. Cano, however, leads two-baggers in home runs and slugging percentage, while continuing to carry the New York Yankees on his back.

 

Edge: Robinson Cano

 

Third Base

AL – Miguel Cabrera

.365/.458/.674, 30 HR, 95 RBI

NL – David Wright

.304/.396/.507, 13 HR, 44 RBI

 

Although David Wright will be getting the louder cheers from his home crowd at Citi Field, the comparison here isn’t even close. Miguel Cabrera is on pace for his third consecutive AL batting title, and could have an outside chance at another triple crown if Chris Davis slows down in the second half.

 

Edge: Miguel Cabrera

 

Shortstop

AL – JJ Hardy, BAL

.251/.293/.428, 16 HR, 52 RBI

NL – Troy Tulowitzki, COL

.332/.400/.608, 16 HR, 52 RBI

 

While Tulowitzki has the clear slash line advantage, both starting shortstops have identical home run and RBI numbers. The catch – Tulowitzki has played in 32 fewer games than Hardy. Tulo will be right in the thick of the NL MVP voting if he can stay on the field.

 

Edge: Troy Tulowitzki

 

Left Field

AL – Mike Trout, LAA

.322/.399/.565, 15 HR, 59 RBI

NL – Carlos Gonzalez, COL

.302/.370/.610, 25 HR, 64 RBI

 

This is one of the closer positional battles going into tomorrow night’s midsummer classic. Trout gets the edge in average, while CarGo takes the nod in power. Trout has a slight lead in stolen bases, with 25 to Gonzalez’s 16. His speed gives him the edge here.

 

Edge: Mike Trout

 

Center Field

AL – Adam Jones, BAL

.296/.324/.501, 19 HR, 67 RBI

NL – Bryce Harper, WAS

.264/.371/.522, 13 HR, 29 RBI

 

Injuries have resulted in only 58 games played for Bryce Harper thus far this season, yet he’s still managed 13 home runs. Impressive. Adam Jones leads all center fielders in home runs and RBI, however. It’d be interesting to see what kind of numbers a healthy Harper would have put up to date, but the edge here has to go to Jones.

 

Edge: Adam Jones

 

Right Field

AL – Jose Bautista, TOR

.254/.351/.493, 20 HR, 55 RBI

NL – Carlos Beltran, STL

.309/.346/.533, 19 HR, 53 RBI

 

It has been a frustrating year for Jose Bautista and the Toronto Blue Jays, yet he finds himself with decent power numbers and another all-star selection. Beltran has equaled those power numbers, however, and has a significant edge in average.

 

Edge: Carlos Beltran

 

Designated Hitter

AL – David Ortiz, BOS

.317/.402/.606, 19 HR, 65 RBI

NL – Michael Cuddyer, COL

.330/.391/.568, 16 HR, 55 RBI

 

David Ortiz continues to amaze. The 37-year-old recently became the MLB’s all-time leader in hits among DH’s with 1,689. At age 34, Michael Cuddyer already has as many home runs as he did in 2012, and is on pace to eclipse his career batting average by 56 points. This season’s stats are too close to call, but Ortiz gets the historical nod.

 

Edge: David Ortiz

 

Total: AL 6, NL 4

 

The American League gets the edge in six starting positions to the National League’s four. Will this be enough to lead them to their first All-Star game victory since 2009? Or will the bench players ultimately determine the final outcome? We’ll find out Tuesday night.

 

Who would you give the edge to at each position? Have your say in the comment section below.