(Sports Network) - The American League will try to stretch its unbeaten streak to 13 games over the National League when the respective All- Star teams battle Tuesday in the 80th edition of the Mid-Summer Classic at Busch Stadium.

This marks the first All-Star Game in St. Louis since the old Busch Stadium played host in 1966 and the fifth time overall that the city has housed the event. This, though, is the fourth time that the Cards have hosted the game, as the St. Louis Browns held the honor in 1948 at Sportsman's Park.

The 42-year span between All-Star Games is the longest stretch for any major league city.

In what promises to be an unforgettable pregame event, President Barack Obama (web | news | bio) will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to St. Louis superstar Albert Pujols. He becomes the fourth sitting U.S. President to do so at the Mid- Summer Classic, joining John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, and Gerald Ford, who did it twice.

President Obama, an unabashed fan of the Chicago White Sox, is the seventh U.S. President to attend the All-Star Game. The first U.S. President to attend an All-Star Game was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1937.

The American League has not lost to the National League since 1996, collecting 11 wins during that stretch and battling to a 7-7 tie in the 2002 game that was called after 11 innings when both squads ran out of pitchers.

Commissioner Bud Selig narrowly avoided another nightmare last season at Yankee Stadium, as the American League needed 15 innings to stretch its winning streak in the longest Mid-Summer Classic ever from a time standpoint. With both rosters taxed, Michael Young's sacrifice fly scored Justin Morneau, lifting the AL to a 4-3 win after four hours and 50 minutes.

The AL's unbeaten streak is the longest in this game's history, surpassing the Senior Circuit's 11-game run from 1972-1982. The AL is actually 17-3-1 in the last 21 All-Star Games and has not lost since falling 6-0 at Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium back in 1996.

Oddly enough, though, the American League only has a two-run differential over the NL in the previous 79 contests, 335-333. However since the start of the unbeaten streak, the AL has outscored the NL, 72-45.

This also marks the seventh straight year that the All-Star Game will determine which league gets home-field advantage in the World Series. The AL has won the previous six contests.

On Monday, American League skipper Joe Maddon named Toronto Blue Jays righty Roy Halladay as the team's starting pitcher. Halladay, of course, has been rumored to be on his way out of Toronto, as Blue Jays general manager J.P. Ricciardi recently indicated that he would be willing to deal his top pitcher for the right package.

"It's tough," Halladay said about the subject of trade rumors. "It's somewhere I enjoy being, but it's what's going to be best for the organization. It has been tough because I enjoy Toronto so much."

Regardless, the 2003 AL Cy Young winner is once again in the midst of another tremendous season and sports a record of 10-3 with a 2.85 earned run average in 17 starts this season. He spent some time in June on the 15-day disabled list with a strained groin and is 0-2 in three starts since returning from the injury.

Halladay is the third different Blue Jay to start an All-Star Game, joining David Wells in 2000 and Dave Stieb in 1983 and '84.

"When you do get a chance to be that first one out, it's special. It doesn't happen very often. It's a special feeling.

Maddon also could have opted to start Kansas City righty Zack Greinke, who also has 10 wins with an AL-low 2.12 ERA.

"It's very difficult to pick that one guy," Maddon said about choosing the starting pitcher. "It's not an easy decision to make. Based on this season and the body of work, I thought [Halladay] deserved the nod."

Philadelphia's Charlie Manuel, who will be guiding the National League squad, had an easier decision, as he tabbed the Senior Circuit's reigning Cy Young winner in San Francisco righty Tim Lincecum.

Lincecum has a record of 10-2 with a 2.33 ERA and a league-best 149 strikeouts in 18 starts this season. He's won his last four starts and in his last outing on Thursday took a no-hitter into the seventh inning before also having a streak of 29 consecutive scoreless innings stopped.

"This is a great accomplishment for me," said Lincecum, who was selected for the NL All-Star team last year, but was unable to pitch because of an illness.

Lincecum will be the fifth different San Francisco Giants pitcher to start an All-Star Game. The last was Jason Schmidt in 2003, while Rick Reuschel started the 1989 game and Vida Blue opened the 1978 contest. Juan Marichal had two All-Star starts in 1965 and '67.

The lineup for the American League will open with Seattle right fielder Ichiro Suzuki, who will be followed by New York Yankees shortstop Derek Jeter and Minnesota Twins catcher Joe Mauer. Yankees first baseman Mark Teixeira will bat cleanup.

Jeter, along with teammate Mariano Rivera, are the elder statesmen at this year's event, as both will be appearing in their 10th All-Star Game. They are also the only pair of teammates to be named to the All-Star team with their current team at least 10 times.

Boston's Jason Bay will hit fifth and play left field, with Texas center fielder Josh Hamilton next. Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria will bat seventh, followed by Toronto second baseman Aaron Hill, who will start in place of Boston's Dustin Pedroia, and Halladay.

Florida Marlins shortstop Hanley Ramirez will lead off for the National League and will be followed by Philadelphia second baseman Chase Utley, Pujols and Milwaukee's Ryan Braun, who will play right field.

Pujols, of course, leads the majors with 32 home runs and 87 RBI.

Philadelphia left fielder Raul Ibanez will bat fifth, followed by New York Mets third baseman David Wright and Philadelphia's Shane Victorino, who was selected to the NL squad in the Final Vote and will play center field in place of the injured Carlos Beltran of the Mets. Yadier Molina of St. Louis will catch and bat eighth, with Lincecum ninth.

One player not in the starting lineup who made news on Monday was Milwaukee first baseman Prince Fielder, who won the Home Run Derby, beating Texas outfielder Nelson Cruz.

Speaking of home runs, there hasn't been one hit in an All-Star Game in St. Louis since Hoot Evers left Sportsman's Park in 1948. There were no HRs in the '57 or '66 contests.

Next year's All-Star Game will be contested at Angel Stadium in Anaheim.



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