If the Astros happen to have a monster second half and make the World Series, they'll have home-field advantage.
The National League beat up the American League MVP and cruised to an 8-0 win in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday in Kansas City. It is the third straight year the NL has won, and as a result, the winner of the NLCS will host the 2012 World Series. It was the largest margin of victory for the NL in All-Star Game history.
Tuesday was the 8th shutout in All-Star Game history and the 1st since 1996.It was the second-largest shutout trailing only the 1946 game.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 11, 2012
Tigers starter Justin Verlander allowed five runs in the first inning, including a three-RBI triple from Giants infielderPablo Sandoval. All eight NL runs came over two innings. Rangers starter Matt Harrison allowed three two-out runs in the fourth inning, including a two-run homer from Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera.
Cabrera went 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored and was awarded the game's MVP.
As for second baseman Jose Altuve, the lone Astros representative, he went 0-for-1 with a groundout to second in the eighth inning.
In the end, 41 position players and 20 pitchers total played in the game.
Read more about the 2012 All-Star Game at Kauffman Stadium at SB Nation Kansas City. Head over to Baseball Nation for news and analysis around Major League Baseball. Also, be sure to subscribe to our Youtube Channel for video commentary.