This Time It Counts... one of the dumbest rules about a game... an exhibition game, no less. Ever since the infamous 7-7 tie in Milwaukee back in 2002, the MLB All-Star Game has decided home-field advantage in the World Series. As of late, the American League has dominated, going undefeated in it's last 11 games (10-0-1). The NL will try to stop the powerhouse American League, who has also dominated interleague play.
Here are my predictions for the 79th Midsummer Classic
*Note the predicted starting lineups are based on my predictions for the fan voting. In no way does this indicate my opinion on their merit of their starting status.
Also, players in bold may not play in the game because of injury. The "final voting" players are underlined. The "replacement" players are in italics.
AL All-Star Roster
C- Jason Varitek BOS
1B- Kevin Youkilis BOS
2B- Dustin Pedroia BOS
SS- Derek Jeter NYY
3B- Alex Rodriguez NYY
OF- Manny Ramirez BOS
OF- Josh Hamilton TEX
OF- Ichiro Suzuki SEA
DH- David Ortiz BOS
C- Joe Mauer MIN
C- Dioner Navarro TB
1B- Aubrey Huff BAL
1B- Justin Morneau MIN
2B- Ian Kinsler TEX
2B- Placido Polanco DET
SS- Michael Young TEX
3B- Evan Longoria TB
OF- Carlos Quentin CHW
OF- Jose Guillen KC
OF- Milton Bradley TEX
OF- Jacoby Ellsbury BOS
SP- Roy Halladay TOR
SP- Justin Duchscherer OAK
SP- Cliff Lee CLE
SP- Daisuke Matsuzaka BOS
SP- Vicente Padilla TEX
SP- Ervin Santana LAA
SP- Joe Saunders LAA
RP- Francisco Rodriguez LAA
RP- George Sherrill BAL
RP- Mariano Rivera NYY
RP- Jonathan Papelbon BOS
RP- Joakim Soria KC
NL All-Star Roster
C- Geovany Soto CHC
1B- Derrek Lee CHC
2B- Chase Utley PHI
SS- Hanley Ramirez FLA
3B- Chipper Jones ATL
OF- Kosuke Fukudome CHC
OF- Alfonso Soriano CHC
OF- Ken Griffey Jr. CIN
DH- David Wright NYM
C- Russell Martin LAD
1B- Albert Pujols STL
1B- Adrian Gonzalez SD
1B- Lance Berkman HOU
2B- Dan Uggla FLA
2B- Brandon Phillips CIN
SS- Jose Reyes NYM
SS- Ryan Theriot CHC
3B- Aramis Ramirez CHC
3B- Ryan Braun MIL
OF- Carlos Lee HOU
OF- Corey Hart MIL
OF- Jason Bay PIT
OF- Nate McLouth PIT
SP- Edinson Volquez CIN
SP- Brandon Webb ARZ
SP- Dan Haren ARZ
SP- Tim Lincecum SF
SP- Ben Sheets MIL
SP- Carlos Zambrano CHC
SP- Cole Hamels PHI
RP- Billy Wagner NYM
RP- Jon Rauch WSH
RP- Taylor Buchholz COL
RP- Kerry Wood CHC
RP- Brad Lidge PHI
Starters:
AL: Roy Halladay TOR
NL: Dan Haren ARZ
Prediction:
For the first time since 1996, the National League wins the All-Star game, by a score of 5-2. The abundance of young, power arms for the NL will give the league home-field advantage.
W- Dan Haren
L- Roy Halladay
S- Brad Lidge
Some possible All-Star game busts...
AL:
1B- Jason Giambi NYY
OF- David Murphy TEX
SP- Vincente Padilla TEX
SP- Scott Kazmir TB
RP- Troy Percival TB
NL:
1B- Ryan Howard PHI
OF- Ryan Ludwick STL
SP- Ryan Dempster CHC
SP- Kyle Loshe STL
RP- Brandon Lyon ARZ
One more prediction... Joe Buck and Tim McCarver are gonna suck!
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