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Girardi, AL to defend 13-year unbeaten streak – Metro US

Girardi, AL to defend 13-year unbeaten streak

“This time it counts.” That’s the slogan MLB commissioner Bud Selig adopted for the Midsummer Classic in 2003. The premise was simple: The game’s winner earned home-field advantage in the World Series.

Simple enough. Maybe to everyone except the National League, which hasn’t won an All-Star game since 1996.

“We’ve had our struggles,” said Mets third baseman David Wright, who makes his fifth-straight All-Star appearance. “This time, there’s a little more on the line for our team.”

Unlike last season, the Mets are in the thick of the playoff race, as are the Yankees. AL manager Joe Girardi is the last person to underestimate tonight’s importance, considering his team went 7-1 at home last postseason.

“It’s very important to one American League club this year,” Girardi said.