Open Thread: 2011 Futures Game

The timing sure worked out well this year. With the All-Star Game being played in Arizona, the Futures Game gets a late start and allows us East Coasters to watch it and the Yankees live without having to flip back and forth. There’s only one Yankees farmhand at the event, Double-A Trenton catcher Austin Romine. He isn’t starting the game but figures to enter in the fifth or sixth inning or so. Here are the starting lineups…

World Team (road)
Starling Marte, CF (Pirates)
Jose Altuve, 2B (Astros)
Yonder Alonso, 1B (Reds)
Dayan Viciedo, DH (White Sox)
Alexi Liddi, 3B (Mariners)
Alfredo Silverio, RF (Dodgers)
Chih-Tsien Chang, LF (Red Sox)
Wilin Rosario, C (Rockies)
Hak-Ju Lee, SS (Rays)

Julio Teheran, RHP (Braves)

USA Team (home)
Jason Kipnis, 2B (Indians)
Manny Machado, SS (Orioles)
Bryce Harper, LF (Nationals)
Paul Goldschmidt, 1B (Diamondbacks)
Devin Mesoraco, C (Reds)
Will Middlebrooks, 3B (Red Sox)
James Darnell, DH (Padres)
Wil Myers, RF (Royals)
Gary Brown, CF (Giants)

Tyler Skaggs, LHP (Diamondbacks)

The game starts at 6pm ET, hence the early open thread. You can watch it on ESPN2 of ESPN3.com, which has thoroughly impressed me with the video quality. The regular old ESPN Sunday Night Game has the Mets at the Giants (Pelfrey vs. Cain), but go ahead and talk about whatever your heart desires.