Just did the history

2000-2008 2 yes and 6 no

90-99 5 yes and 5 no

Batting order edge goes to AL in All-Star Game

The AL has three lefthanded hitters and switch-hitter Mark Teixeira among its starters, and manager Joe Maddon has tried to break things up as much as he can. Derek Jeter - an excellent hit-and-run player - is hitting second between lefties Ichiro Suzuki and Joe Mauer, and Josh Hamilton is hitting sixth between righthanders Jason Bay and Evan Longoria.

Toronto's Aaron Hill is starting at second base in place of Boston's Dustin Pedroia, who is skipping the game as his wife deals with pregnancy complications. Batting eighth, Hill is a power upgrade over the reigning AL MVP; his 20 homers are four more than the NL's 6-7-8 hitters combined. 

Longoria may get just one at-bat due to a finger infection. The AL has Michael Young and Brandon Inge as reserve third basemen. Keep an eye on Inge, who homered twice Sunday and is in Monday's Home Run Derby.

One of the AL's slugging first basemen - Justin Morneau, Carlos Pena or Kevin Youkilis - may hit for starting pitcher Roy Halladay. If National League righthanded starter Tim Lincecum is still in the game, it won't be Youkilis.

The NL has two lefties and switch-hitter Shane Victorino in its starting lineup and is broken up pretty nicely by manager Charlie Manuel, although righty sluggers Albert Pujols and Ryan Braun are hitting 3-4.

The bottom of the NL's lineup has little pop, with David Wright (five homers), Victorino (six) and Yadier Molina (five) preceding the pitcher's spot. If Halladay is still on the mound, you may see Prince Fielder or Ryan Howard pinch-hit as the NL also has a glut of power-hitting first basemen.

That also may be a problem. Most of the NL's reserve power comes from its first basemen, a group that includes Adrian Gonzalez. Because they all play the same position, their total at-bats will be limited. Compounding matters is that the fans at Busch Stadium may want to see Pujols get a third at-bat. If the AL's early pitching is strong, that may not be until the fifth inning.

Even though Molina is hitting eighth and is considered a defensive player, he may get three at-bats because the only other NL catcher is Atlanta's Brian McCann. The memory of last year's game could have Manuel and Maddon using reserves judiciously.

Continued

After the starting pitchers are done, you likely will see Zack Greinke, Tim Wakefield or Edwin Jackson for the AL, with Felix Hernandez a possibility. For the NL, look for Dan Haren and Zach Duke, with Johan Santana and Ted Lilly also in the mix.

You almost certainly will not see Josh Beckett, Mark Buehrle and Justin Verlander for the AL and Josh Johnson and Jason Marquis for the NL. All five starters pitched Sunday.

All the closers should be available for at least an inning due to the day off before and after the game. Don't be surprised to see some of them used as set-up men. If the NL needs to protect a lead in the ninth, Manuel probably will use his own Francisco Rodriguez rather than hometown favorite Ryan Franklin.