Breaking News

More () »

mlb-all-star-game

2019 MLB All-Star Game Preview: Starting lineups, storylines and how to watch

The 2019 MLB All-Star Game will take place at Cleveland's Progressive Field on Tuesday night.

Credit: AP

Mike Trout, of the Los Angeles Angels, talks with Christian Yelich, of the Milwaukee Brewers, during batting practice for the MLB All-Star game, Monday, July 8, 2019, in Cleveland. The game will be played Tuesday. (AP Photo/John Minchillo)

CLEVELAND -- For one more day, Cleveland will serve as the center of the baseball universe.

And it's saved its best for last.

On Tuesday night, Progressive Field will host the 2019 MLB All-Star Game, marking a record sixth time that the Midsummer Classic has occurred in Cleveland. And if Monday night's Home Run Derby was any indication, fans in Northeast Ohio should be in for a treat as baseball's biggest stars take the field for one of the biggest exhibitions in all of sports.

With that in mind, here's everything you need to know about Tuesday night's All-Star Game, from the starting lineups, key storylines and how to watch the event:

RELATED: All-Star Game Guide

Starting lineups

American League

RF - George Springer (Astros)
2B - DJ LeMahieu (Yankees0
CF - Mike Trout (Angels)
1B - Carlos Santana (Indians)
DH - J.D. Martinez (Red Sox)
3B - Alex Bregman (Astros)
C - Gary Sanchez (Yankees)
LF - Michael Brantley (Astros)
SS - Jorge Polanco (Twins)

P - Justin Verlander (Astros)

National League

LF - Christian Yelich (Brewers)
SS - Javier Baez (Cubs)
1B - Freddie Freeman (Braves)
RF - Cody Bellinger (Dodgers)
3B - Nolan Arenado (Rockies)
DH - Josh Bell (Pirates)
C - Wilson Contreras (Cubs)
2B - Ketel Marte (D-Backs)
CF - Ronald Acuna Jr. (Braves)

P - Hyun-Jin Ryu (Dodgers)

Credit: AP

Houston Astros' Justin Verlander speaks during a news-conference, Monday, July 8, 2019, in Cleveland. Verlander will be the American League starting pitcher for the 90th All-Star Game played on Tuesday in Cleveland. (AP Photo/Tony Dejak)

Key storylines

Seven straight?

Homefield advantage in the World Series is no longer up for grabs, but bragging rights are very much still on the line. That rings especially true for the National League, which has lost the past six All-Star Games to its American League counterparts.

Perhaps boding well for the N.L. is that the last American League pitcher to record a loss in the Midsummer Classic was Justin Verlander, who will again tow the rubber for the A.L. on Tuesday night. After battling through injuries in Detroit, Verlander has revived his career in Houston and has admitted he may have learned a thing or two from his last All-Star start.

"I think my mindset has changed a little bit," Verlander said. "I kind of halfway blame it on Prince Fielder. He was at first base, and he kept whispering at me, 'Ver, Ver, Ver, throw a hundred.'

"I don't quite throw a hundred anymore, maybe I'll try tomorrow, I don't know. But, I don't know, the goal is to get guys out."

Will Verlander's new approach prove more effective this year? We'll find out tonight.

RELATED: Watch live today: MLB All-Star Game parade and red carpet arrivals in Cleveland

Youth movement

As was the case in the Home Run Derby -- which featured two rookies in the finals -- this year's All-Star Game will feature the youngest field of players to ever take part in the Midsummer Classic.

Between both rosters, there will be 36 first-time All-Stars taking part in Tuesday night's game, as well as 19 All-Stars who are 25-years-old or younger.

That group includes New York Mets rookie first baseman Pete Alonso, who won Monday night's Home Run Derby by beating out Toronto Blue Jays third baseman Vladimir Guerrero Jr. It also includes a pair of Cleveland Indians in shortstop Francisco Lindor and starting pitcher Shane Bieber, as well as 21-year-old Atlanta Braves outfielder Ronald Acuna Jr.

All things considered, baseball clearly appears to be in the midst of a youth movement. And it will be on full display Tuesday at Progressive Field.

Credit: Tony Dejak

Pete Alonso, of the New York Mets, reacts after hitting during the first round in the Major League Baseball Home Run Derby at Progressive Field in Cleveland, Ohio on Monday, July 8, 2019.

MVP odds

As is the case with any All-Star Game, one of the most interesting storylines to follow will be who takes home the game's annual MVP award. With that in mind, here are the odds for tonight's game:

How to watch

Channel: Fox

Streaming: Fox Sports

Start time: 8:00 p.m. ET

Radio: ESPN Radio