CINCINNATI — First baseman Albert Pujols, catcher Yadier Molina and closer Ryan Franklin will be the St. Louis Cardinals three hometown representatives for the 80th All-Star Game, which will take place July 14 at Busch Stadium.

Pujols, who leads the National League in home runs and RBIs, has been selected for the eight time in his nine-year career as an All-Star. Both Molina and Franklin are making their first All-Star appearances. Pujols will be the NL starter at first base, having held a wire-to-wire lead in the fan voting at his position. Molina will start at catcher.

Franklin has spent the past two seasons as the Cardinals’ setup reliever and closer understudy. Entering this season, he was cast in a similar role — and as that of a mentor for the two young relievers that Cardinals considered candidates for the closer role. Instead, Franklin has taken over the role himself. He has 20 saves in 21 opportunities this season, and his 0.84 is the lowest of any closer with at least 15 saves.

Franklin was a manager’s selection to the team.

Molina won his first career Gold Glove last year and has told those close to him that an All-Star invite to the game in St. Louis would satisfy another career goal.

The Cardinals’ catcher is widely viewed as the finest defensive player at his position in the league, and he added to that a .300 average last season. Molina was hitting .278 with 25 RBIs and five home runs entering Sunday’s game.

The three representatives for the Cardinals are the most since the 2006 All-Star Game in Pittsburgh when the Cardinals put four on the National League roster.

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