Detroit Tigers News: Getting ready for the MLB All-Star Game

Happy All-Star Game day everyone! The All-Star Game is on FOX tonight and it starts at 7:30. We’ll see Washington National and former Tiger Max Scherzer take the mound for National League and the American League will have Boston Red Sox ace Chris Sale on the mound to start the game. MLB.com has a great breakdown on each position for both leagues and who has the advantage where. Although it’s unfortunate that we won’t be able to see Michael Fulmer pitch today since he started on Sunday, Justin Upton should get an at-bat or two at some point after being named as Fulmer’s replacement.

With no regular season games being played, the hot stove has been cooking up some really good trade rumors, including one in which the Chicago Cubs are out on Justin Verlander but somehow in on Daniel Norris and Michael Fulmer. With a pretty solid first half and a contract that is set to expire at the end of the season, J.D. Martinez is the Tigers number one trade candidate.

Alex Avila has also been one of the most rumored Tigers to be moved, as he’s on a one year deal and has been of the league’s best bats at catcher. Besides trade rumors, Sunday saw the MLB Futures game in which Tigers prospect Beau Burrows threw a scoreless inning with two punch-outs.

With Dixon Machado slowly but steadily improving at the Major League level, Kyle thinks he is a viable replacement that allows the Tigers to move on from Jose Iglesias in order to help with the money issue during rebuilding. Tigers’ prospect Joe Jimenez made the MLBPipeline.com’s Prospect Team of the Week. In honor of the Home Run Derby last night, Ashley flashes back to Prince Fielder’s Home Run Derby victory back in 2012 with the Tigers.

Speaking of Home Run Derby, last night Aaron Judge did what Aaron Judge does, he hits baseballs really, really hard. In doing so he won the 2017 Home Run Derby and adds another milestone to a resume that is quickly building. In the final round, Judge defeated Miguel Sano of the Minnesota Twins who had a pretty good outing in his first Home Run Derby. If you missed out on the Home Run Derby, MLB.com has round-by-round results so you know exactly what happened.

A Home Run Derby filled with young up and coming stars among them was Los Angeles Dodger Cody Bellinger who has been breaking records in his rookie season. While Bellinger was participating in the Derby, he had teammate and All-Star, closer Kenley Jansen as his personal cameraman.

Another great part about the All-Star break is it brings the entire league and it’s fans together, which allowed Commissioner Rob Manfred to open up to fans during MLB’s annual Town Hall Meeting which is held at FanFest. Not only that, it also allows the participants of the All-Star Game a chance to interact and give back to the fans, such as Cleveland Indians shortstop Francisco Lindor did. Outside of the All-Star break, we’re seeing such an uptick in home runs that even the San Diego Padres have become reliant on the long ball.

Justin Upton has some pretty wicked cleats for tonight’s All-Star Game

Michael Fulmer and Justin Upton appearing at the All-Star festivities yesterday