All-Star Game: What KC Royals fans need to know

The KC Royals have two stars on the American League roster for tonight’s All-Star Game against the National League. Here’s what Kansas City fans must know about the contest.

Where is the game, when does it start, and how can KC Royals fans watch it?

This year’s All-Star Game is set for 8 p.m. ET tonight. Coors Field in Denver, home of the Colorado Rockies, is the host venue. FOX has the telecast.

Who from the KC Royals will be playing in this season’s All-Star game?

Catcher Salvador Perez, selected for the game for the seventh time, was originally the only Kansas City player on this year’s American League roster. But after Houston’s Jose Altuve withdrew from the contest last week, Royal Whit Merrifield found himself on the AL club for the second time.

Perez made the club via a fan vote victory. Merrifield’s finish in separate player balloting led to his spot on the team.

Perez participated in Monday night’s Home Run Derby and lost to eventual champion Pete Alonso in the first round.

Perez leads the Royals with 21 home runs and 53 RBIs in 89 games. He’s also hitting.275.

Merrifield, who’s also played in all of Kansas City’s 89 games, leads the majors with 24 stolen bases—he’s been thrown out only once—and has eight homers, 47 RBIs and a .270 average.

Will Salvador Perez and Whit Merrifield both start for the American League?

Unless the back tightness that struck Perez during last Saturday’s game sidelines him, which would be surprising considering his participation in Monday night’s Home Run Derby, Perez will start because the fan vote determines the starters. Merrifield, however, is a reserve.

Have the starting lineups been determined for tonight’s game?

Yes, Tuesday’s lineups were set Monday. Here they are:

American League

1. Shohei Ohtani, SP-DH (Angels)
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B (Blue Jays)
3. Xander Bogaerts, SS (Red Sox)
4. Aaron Judge, RF (Yankees)
5. Rafael Devers, 3B (Red Sox)
6. Marcus Semien, 2B (Blue Jays)
7. Salvador Perez, C (Royals)
8. Teoscar Hernandez, LF (Blue Jays)
9. Cedric Mullins, CF (Orioles)

National League

1. Fernando Tatis Jr., SS (Padres)
2. Max Muncy, DH (Dodgers)
3. Nolan Arenado, 3B (Cardinals)
4. Freddie Freeman, 1B (Braves)
5. Nick Castellanos, RF (Reds)
6. Jesse Winker, LF (Reds)
7. J.T. Realmuto, C (Phillies)
8. Bryan Reynolds, CF (Pirates)
9. Adam Frazier, 2B (Pirates)

While Ohtani will double as the AL’s starting pitcher and designated hitter, Washington’s Max Scherzer will start on the mound for the NL.

The 2021 All-Star Game is tonight. Enjoy watching KC Royals Salvador Perez and Whit Merrifield.