LEADING OFF: All-Star starters, Santana returns, Matz bats

Jul 5, 2015 - 1:36 AM A look at what's happening all around the major leagues Sunday:

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ROYAL REVELATION

Fan-elected starters get announced Sunday evening for the All-Star Game in Cincinnati on July 14. When the last balloting update was released Monday, five Kansas City Royals were leading at their positions. The deadline to vote online was midnight Thursday. Pitchers and reserves will be revealed Monday night.

JOIN US

Ervin Santana makes his first start for Minnesota after serving an 80-game drug suspension. He will pitch in Kansas City against his former team - the right-hander spent 2013 with the Royals. Santana signed a $55 million, four-year contract with the Twins in December after winning 14 games for Atlanta last season. He was penalized by MLB following a positive test for the performance-enhancing substance Stanozolol.

STINGY STUFF

Seattle rookie left-hander Mike Montgomery (3-2) carries an 18-inning scoreless streak into the series finale at Oakland and will attempt to become the second pitcher in Mariners history to throw three consecutive shutouts. Hall of Famer Randy Johnson did it in 1994.

PRIME TIME

The defending World Series champion Giants attempt to stop a five-game losing streak in a night game at Washington. Jordan Zimmermann faces San Francisco for the first time since allowing one run over 8 2-3 innings in Game 2 of their NLDS matchup last year. The Nationals lost 2-1 in 18 innings. Washington is hoping for good news on right-hander Stephen Strasburg, who left Saturday's game with tightness in his left side.

MATZ BATS

A week after his storybook big league debut, Steven Matz makes his second start for the Mets when they play at Dodger Stadium. Matz had three hits and became the only pitcher with four RBIs in his first career game last Sunday when he worked impressively into the eighth inning to beat Cincinnati.

SAME NAME, THE SEQUEL

For the second time in 11 days, it's De La Rosa vs. De La Rosa. Colorado lefty Jorge and Arizona righty Rubby both got a no-decision when the Rockies won 6-4 in Denver on June 25.

TOUGH TIMES

Tampa Bay tries to snap a seven-game skid in the finale of a frustrating series at Yankee Stadium. The Rays squandered a two-run lead in the 12th inning and lost 7-5 on Friday night, then threw away a bunt in the bottom of the ninth for a 3-2 defeat Saturday. Erasmo Ramirez (6-3) pitches for Tampa Bay versus Ivan Nova (1-1), who has lost four straight decisions against the Rays after winning six of his first seven.

MARQUEE MATCHUP

Cole Hamels (5-6) pitches for Philadelphia at Atlanta against Shelby Miller (5-4) in a matchup of potential All-Stars who could use a little run support.