ST. LOUIS — Joe Mauer probably doesn’t have to worry about catching Red Sox knuckleballer Tim Wakefield in tonight’s All-Star Game.

American League manager Joe Maddon said Wakefield, Josh Beckett and Justin Verlander are three pitchers who will only pitch in an emergency situation, like if the game runs long, etc. Others in that position include Brian Fuentes and Andrew Bailey.

Maddon said Mariano Rivera will get the ball in the ninth inning for a save situation. Rivera is tied with Dennis Eckersley for the all-time record with three All-Star saves. Twins closer Joe Nathan is scheduled to get the ball in the eighth inning — which would mark his first time pitching later than the seventh in an ASG.

It’s 79 degrees and cloudy here. Maddon said there’s a chance for rain around 9 p.m. “Hey, if we’re at some kind of event, it’s normally going to rain, isn’t it?” he said, referring to the suspension of Game 5 of the World Series, last October.

Spoke to Justin Morneau before the game. He feels good about his decision to miss the Home Run Derby. More on that in my notebook.

You can follow me on Twitter @JoeCStarTribune.

A few of my recent Tweets, which we’ll soon have linked right to this site.

(*) Joe Maddon says he’s tempted to borrow Mark Buehrle’s White Sox hat in time to greet President Obama at the #alllstargame.
1 minute ago from web

(*) Mauer’s #allstar knuckleball nightmare averted. Wakefield, Beckett and Verlander only scheduled to pitch if game runs long, etc.
15 minutes ago from web

(*) Sounds like Nathan’s lined up for the eighth inning, Mariano the ninth. Mo has three #allstargame saves. One more gives him the record.
19 minutes ago from web

(*) At #allstargame, just rode the elevator with Ozzie Smith and Stan Musial. Doesn’t get much better than that.
23 minutes ago from web

AMERICAN LEAGUE (40-37-2, unbeaten since 1996)
1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF
2. Derek Jeter, SS
3. Joe Mauer, C
4. Mark Teixeira, 1B
5. Jason Bay, LF
6. Josh Hamilton, CF
7. Evan Longoria Michael Young, 3B
8. Aaron Hill, 2B
9. Roy Halladay, P

NATIONAL LEAGUE (37-40-2)
1. Hanley Ramirez, SS
2. Chase Utley, 2B
3. Albert Pujols, 1B
4. Ryan Braun, RF
5. Raul Ibanez, LF
6. David Wright, 3B
7. Shane Victorino, CF
8. Yadier Molina, C
9. Tim Licecum, P

Busch Stadium. Fox’s coverage begins at 7 p.m.

This entry was posted on Tuesday, July 14th, 2009 at 5:15 pm and is filed under Twins thoughts. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. Both comments and pings are currently closed.