2015 All-Star Game Preview: Astros Keuchel, Altuve to start

American League vs National League

TV: Fox

Pitching Matchup

LHP Dallas Keuchel (11-4, 2.23 ERA, 1.00 WHIP) vs. RHP Zack Greinke (8-2, 1.39 ERA, 0.84 WHIP)

Preview

Dallas Keuchel takes the mound in Cincinnati tonight, the first Astros pitcher to start the All-Star game since Roger Clemens in 2004, and the first Astros pitcher ever to start for the American League. It caps an amazing rise to the elite ranks of pitchers for Keuchel, who only two years ago had a 5.15 ERA for the Astros. It's a deserved reward for Keuchel, who leads AL pitchers in WAR.

Jose Altuve will join Keuchel in the starting lineup, playing at second base and batting eighth. It's the third All-Star appearance for Altuve, who won the fan vote to earn the starting nod. He and the other AL starters will have a tough task facing NL starter Zack Greinke.

Greinke hasn't allowed an earned run in his last five starts, a span of 35 2/3 innings. His 1.39 ERA is the lowest for a starting pitcher at the All-Star break since 1968. Altuve and the AL lineup will hope to best Greinke and win to earn home field advantage for the World Series. With the Astros in contention for the playoffs, tonight's result could be significant for the team.