MLB All-Star Game 2017: Full Rosters and Predictions for Midsummer Classic

The storyline that many Major League Baseball observers are focusing on is that the 88th All-Star Game at in Miami Tuesday is quite a bit different from every All-Star Game since 2003.

That was the first year that the All-Star Game was used to determine home-field advantage in the World Series. It was a decision that emanated from then-MLB commissioner Bud Selig, who had been thoroughly embarrassed when the 2002 All-Star Game in Milwaukee ended in a 7-7 tie. When that game went into extra innings and All-Star pitchers were in short supply, the game came to an end in ignominious fashion.

While Selig's heart was in the right place, the decision did not sit well with a majority of players or fans, and current commissioner Rob Manfred decided to bail on that idea.

While that is a big story, it is not the only one.

This long series has seen huge momentum swings throughout its history. The American League won 12 of the first 16 before the National League used its wide edge in talent throughout the 1950s, '60s and '70s to take over. The Nationals Leaguers won 19 of 20 All-Star Games between 1963 and 1982.

In 1983, the AL ended years of frustration with a 13-3 win at Chicago's Comiskey Park, a game that featured Red Sox outfielder Fred Lynn's grand slam. No other player has hit a grannie in the history of the series.

The American League finally found its rhythm in 1988, and it has recorded a 22-6-1 mark since that year. 

All that winning has put the American League in a position to tie the all-time series. The National League holds a 43-42-2 edge going into Tuesday's 8 p.m. ET game, and the American League can put an end to the NL's superiority with a victory.

The National League tied the series in 1964 when Philadelphia Phillies outfielder Johnny Callison hit a three-run home run in the bottom of the ninth to earn a 7-4 victory at Shea Stadium. The NL took the lead the following year in Minnesota and has not trailed since.

American League

Starters

2B Jose Altuve, Houston Astros: 25 doubles, two triples, 13 home runs
3B Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Indians: 16 HR, 46 RBI
OF Aaron Judge, New York Yankees: 1.139 OPS, 30 HR, 66 RBI
OF George Springer, Houston Astros: 27 HR, 61 RBI
SS Carlos Correa, Houston Astros: 20 HR, 65 RBI
1B Justin Smoak, Toronto Blue Jays: 23 HR, 56 RBI
DH Corey Dickerson, Tampa Bay Rays: .903 OPS, 17 HR
C Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals: 18 HR, 57 RBI
OF Mookie Betts, Boston Red Sox: 16 HR, 15 SB, 53 RBI
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P Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox: 11-4, 2.75 ERA, 178 K

Reserves

C Gary Sanchez, New York Yankees
1B Yonder Alonso, Oakland Athletics
2B Jonathan Schoop, Baltimore Orioles
2B Starlin Castro, New York Yankees
2B Robinson Cano, Seattle Mariners
3B Miguel Sano, Minnesota Twins
3B Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals
SS Francisco Lindor, Cleveland Indians
OF Avisail Garcia, Chicago White Sox
OF Michael Brantley, Cleveland Indians
DH Nelson Cruz, Seattle Mariners

Pitching Staff

SP Lance McCullers Jr., Houston Astros
SP Jason Vargas, Kansas City Royals
SP Chris Archer, Tampa Bay Rays
SP Yu Darvish, Texas Rangers
SP Michael Fulmer, Detroit Tigers
SP Corey Kluber, Cleveland Indians
SP Ervin Santana, Minnesota Twins
SP Luis Severino, New York Yankees
SP Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros
RP Craig Kimbrel, Boston Red Sox
RP Andrew Miller, Cleveland Indians
RP Chris Devenski, Houston Astros
RP Brandon Kintzler, Minnesota Twins
RP Roberto Osuna, Toronto Blue Jays
RP Dellin Betances, New York Yankees

National League

Starters
OF Charlie Blackmon, Colorado Rockies: .319 BA, 20 HR, 61 RBI
DH Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins: .933 OPS, 26 HR, 58 RBI
OF Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals: 1.021 OPS, 20 HR, 65 RBI
C Buster Posey, San Francisco Giants: .325 BA, 10 HR, 35 RBI
2B Daniel Murphy, Washington Nationals: .342 BA, 64 RBI
3B Nolan Arenado, Colorado Rockies: .905, 17 HR, 70 RBI
1B Ryan Zimmerman, Washington Nationals: .969 OPS, 19 HR, 63 RBI
OF Marcell Ozuna, Miami Marlins: 23 HR, 69 RBI
SS Zack Cozart, Cincinnati Reds: .316 BA, 35 RBI
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P Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals: 10-5, 2.10 ERA, 173 K

Reserves

C Yadier Molina, St. Louis Cardinals
1B Paul Goldschmidt, Arizona Diamondbacks
1B Joey Votto, Cincinnati Reds
1B/OF Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers
2B Josh Harrison, Pittsburgh Pirates
2B DJ LeMahieu, Colorado Rockies
3B Jake Lamb, Arizona Diamondbacks
3B Justin Turner, Los Angeles Dodgers
SS Corey Seager, Los Angeles Dodgers
OF Ender Inciarte, Atlanta Braves
OF Michael Conforto, New York Mets

Pitching Staff

SP Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers
SP Carlos Martinez, St. Louis Cardinals
SP Zack Greinke, Arizona Diamondbacks
SP Robbie Ray, Arizona Diamondbacks
SP Stephen Strasburg, Washington Nationals
SP Alex Wood, Los Angeles Dodgers
RP Kenley Jansen, Los Angeles Dodgers
RP Wade Davis, Chicago Cubs
RP Corey Knebel, Milwaukee Brewers
RP Greg Holland, Colorado Rockies
RP Brad Hand, San Diego Padres
RP Pat Neshek, Philadelphia Phillies

The American League is led by the slugging of New York Yankees rookie Aaron Judge along with three Houston Astros starters in Jose Altuve, Carlos Correa and George Springer. That foursome gives the American lineup a formidable feel.

The National League has plenty of explosiveness and power with Bryce Harper and Daniel Murphy of the Washington Nationals, Nolan Arenado of the Colorado Rockies and Buster Posey of the San Francisco Giants.

The starting pitching matchup of Chris Sale of the Boston Red Sox and Max Scherzer of the Nationals is a classic. It might have been even more dramatic if Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers started the game for the NL, but he pitched Sunday and will not compete at Marlins Park.

If the American League has an advantage, it may be with the players coming off the bench. It may be difficult for the National League's DJ LeMahieu, Jake Lamb, Ender Inciarte and Michael Conforto to match Robinson Cano, Mike Moustakas, Michael Brantley and Nelson Cruz.

Predictions

The American League has plenty of momentum. In addition to winning the last four All-Star Games, the AL has won the interleague regular-season battle in every season since 2004 and should win that battle again this year.

Look for Altuve and Judge to get the American League off to a good start in the first inning, and Sale will hold the NL down. It would not be a shocker to see Sale set down National League hitters with the same strikeout flourish the way Pedro Martinez did in 1999.

The American League should be able to hold onto the lead in the late going and Andrew Miller of the Cleveland Indians and Craig Kimbrel of the Red Sox will have the opportunity to close out the game. Look for Kimbrel end the game by striking out the final NL batter.

The AL leaves Miami having tied up the All-Star series, and Sale wins the All-Star Game MVP award.