Twins catcher Joe Mauer will bat eighth in tonight’s starting lineup for the American League in baseball’s All-Star Game. It’s his sixth appearance in his 10-year career.
What should we expect to see?
Look for Mauer to get at least two at-bats since he’s hitting down in the order, sandwiched between a pair of Baltimore Orioles — Adam Jones and ex-Twin J.J. Hardy.
Mauer’s All-Star history is as steady as his lifetime stats: He’s 3-for-9 (.333 batting average), with two singles and a double in five games.
Here’s a quick look, year-by-year:
2006: In his first All-Star Game — a 3-2 American League win — Mauer went 0-for-2, with a strikeout and groundout.
2008: In a 4-3 AL win, Mauer went 1-for-1, with a walk and a single.
2009: In another 4-3 AL victory, Mauer went 1-for-3. He hit into a fielder’s choice groundout, but later scored that inning. He also lined out and swatted a game-tying RBI double.
2010: In a 3-1 National League win, Mauer went 0-for-2 with a flyout. He also reached base on an error.
2012: In an 8-0 NL victory, Mauer went 1-for-1 with a single.
