Cain, Verlander named all-star starters

KANSAS CITY, Mo., July 9 (UPI) -- San Francisco's Matt Cain and Detroit's Justin Verlander were named the starting pitchers for Tuesday's 2012 All-Star Game in Kansas City.

National League Manager Tony LaRussa, who retired after leading St. Louis to a World Series victory last season, and American League Manager Ron Washington of Texas designated the two right-handers as their starters as they penciled in their starting lineups Monday.

It will be Cain's first all-star start in three appearances. He takes a 9-3 record and 2.62 ERA in 17 starts into the game.

LaRussa picked Cain, who has a perfect game to his credit this season, over New York Mets knuckleballer R.A. Dickey, who is 12-1 with a 2.40 ERA in 17 starts.

Verlander, the reigning AL Cy Young award winner and AL MVP, who missed a slated all-star start last season because of his rotation schedule, is 9-5 with a 2.58 ERA in 18 starts.

Washington's lineup will include the New York Yankees' Derek Jeter, Robinson Cano and Curtis Granderson; the Rangers' Josh Hamilton, Adrian Beltre and Mike Napoli; Toronto's Jose Bautista, Detroit's Prince Fielder, and Boston's David Ortiz.

LaRussa is going with Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez; San Francisco's Melky Cabrera, Buster Posey and Pablo Sandoval; Milwaukee's Ryan Braun; Cincinnati's Joey Votto; St. Louis' Carlos Beltran and Rafael Furcal; and Atlanta's Dan Uggla.

The game's winner will give its league home-field advantage in the World Series this fall.

The National League has won the last two all-star games after losing the previous 13.