Batting Order Edge Goes to AL in All-Star Game
By Covers.com
The American League has more power and a bit better balance in its lineup for Tuesday's All-Star Game - at least for the first three or four innings.
After that, who knows? Last year's game went a record 15 innings and nearly saw position players take the mound.
The AL has three lefthanded hitters and switch-hitter Mark Teixeira among its starters, and manager Joe Maddon has tried to break things up as much as he can. Derek Jeter - an excellent hit-and-run player - is hitting second between lefties Ichiro Suzuki and Joe Mauer, and Josh Hamilton is hitting sixth between righthanders Jason Bay and Evan Longoria.
Toronto's Aaron Hill is starting at second base in place of Boston's Dustin Pedroia, who is skipping the game as his wife deals with pregnancy complications. Batting eighth, Hill is a power upgrade over the reigning AL MVP; his 20 homers are four more than the NL's 6-7-8 hitters combined.
Longoria may get just one at-bat due to a finger infection. The AL has Michael Young and Brandon Inge as reserve third basemen. Keep an eye on Inge, who homered twice Sunday and is in Monday's Home Run Derby.
One of the AL's slugging first basemen - Justin Morneau, Carlos Pena or Kevin Youkilis - may hit for starting pitcher Roy Halladay. If National League righthanded starter Tim Lincecum is still in the game, it won't be Youkilis.
The NL has two lefties and switch-hitter Shane Victorino in its starting lineup and is broken up pretty nicely by manager Charlie Manuel, although righty sluggers Albert Pujols and Ryan Braun are hitting 3-4.
The bottom of the NL's lineup has little pop, with David Wright (five homers), Victorino (six) and Yadier Molina (five) preceding the pitcher's spot. If Halladay is still on the mound, you may see Prince Fielder or Ryan Howard pinch-hit as the NL also has a glut of power-hitting first basemen.
That also may be a problem. Most of the NL's reserve power comes from its first basemen, a group that includes Adrian Gonzalez. Because they all play the same position, their total at-bats will be limited. Compounding matters is that the fans at Busch Stadium may want to see Pujols get a third at-bat. If the AL's early pitching is strong, that may not be until the fifth inning.
Even though Molina is hitting eighth and is considered a defensive player, he may get three at-bats because the only other NL catcher is Atlanta's Bob McCann. The memory of last year's game could have Manuel and Maddon using reserves judiciously.
After the starting pitchers are done, you likely will see Zack Greinke, Tim Wakefield or Edwin Jackson for the AL, with Felix Hernandez a possibility. For the NL, look for Dan Haren and Zach Duke, with Johan Santana and Ted Lilly also in the mix.
You almost certainly will not see Josh Beckett, Mark Buehrle and Justin Verlander for the AL and Josh Johnson and Jason Marquis for the NL. All five starters pitched Sunday.
All the closers should be available for at least an inning due to the day off before and after the game. Don't be surprised to see some of them used as set-up men. If the NL needs to protect a lead in the ninth, Manuel probably will use his own Francisco Rodriguez rather than hometown favorite Ryan Franklin.
All signs point to the AL extending its unbeaten streak at the Midsummer classic to 13 years.
ALL-STAR GAME
American League vs. National League
(at St. Louis)
The American League looks to continue its dominance of the All-Star Game when it battles the National League in the 80th mid-summer classic at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum (10-2, 2.33 ERA) is scheduled to start for the N.L. opposite Toronto’s Roy Halladay (10-3, 2.85).
The A.L. has won six consecutive All-Star games and is on an 11-0-1 run in the annual midsummer exhibition, with seven of the 11 victories coming by more than one run. However, the past three contests have been one-run affairs, including last year’s at Yankee Stadium, where the American League got a sacrifice fly from Michael Young in the 15th inning to pull out a 4-3 victory. The game matched the 1967 contest for the longest in terms of total innings and the 4-hour, 50-minute marathon set an All-Star Game record.
The N.L. still leads the all-time series 41-36-2, but the senior circuit has been on the losing end in 19 of the last 26 contests, plus one tie in 2002. In fact, going back to 1988, the A.L. is on a 17-3-1 run in this contest. Prior to this current drought, the N.L. had won 19 of 20 meetings from 1963-82, including a record 11 straight from 1972-82.
In addition to the All-Star Game, the A.L. has dominated interleague play the last four years, holding advantages of 154-98 in 2006, 137-115 in both 2007 and 2008, and 137-114 this season. The A.L. had a cumulative 3.91 ERA, .263 average and 315 home runs in interleague action in 2009, compared with the N.L.’s 4.46 ERA, .257 average and 249 home runs
St. Louis has hosted the All-Star Game four times previously, the most recent in 1966 at old Busch Stadium. The National League won that game 4-0 and also took a 2-1 decision in 1940, while the A.L. scored a 5-2 victory in 1948 and a 6-5 win in 1957.
Lincecum was named to his first All-Star game last year, but he didn’t pitch because he was suffering from dehydration. He closed out the first half of the season with four straight victories and is 6-1 with a 1.45 ERA in his last seven starts, allowing just nine earned runs and striking out 58 in 56 innings during this stretch. Going back to May 21, the right-hander has recorded 10 straight quality starts, giving up two earned runs or fewer in eight of those games.
Lincecum was 2-1 with a 1.39 ERA in three starts against the American League this year, tossing complete games in both victories. He also had a complete-game 10-0 victory in St. Louis on June 29, scattering two hits and no walks while striking out eight, improving to 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in three career starts at Busch Stadium.
Halladay is making his sixth All-Star appearance but his first start. He pitched in three of those six mid-summer classics, allowing four runs and seven hits in four total innings. The veteran right-hander got the starting nod tonight despite struggling a bit following a two-week stint on the disabled list, going 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in his last three starts.
Halladay got no-decisions in his two interleague starts this year, giving up a combined one run and 10 hits in 10 innings (0.90 ERA) against the Braves and Marlins. He’s never pitched at Busch Stadium.
The last three All-Star games have stayed under the total, snapping a four-game “over” streak in the midsummer classic. Also, the under is 10-5 in the last 15 All-Star contests played in National League parks.
ATS ADVANTAGE: AMERICAN LEAGUE and UNDER
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American League at National League
American League: It should not come as a big surprise that the American League has been installed as a $1.15 favorite against the National League for Tuesday’s 80th All-Star game in St. Louis. After all, the Junior Circuit is 11-0-1 in the last 12 mid-summer classics and has closed as a ‘chalk’ in the last four. The total opened at 9 ½, with the last three All-Star outings dipping ‘under’ that number. In fact, there have been just 21 combined runs scored during that span. Injuries usually don’t play a major role in these games, but this contest could be an exception. Starting second baseman Dustin Pedroia of the Red Sox had to withdraw because of a family emergency. He will be replaced by the Tampa Bay’s Carlos Pena, who leads the league with 24 home runs. The A.L. continued its dominance in Interleague play this season, going 137-114.
The Under has cashed in the last 3 mid-summer classics.
Key Injuries - None
PROJECTED SCORE: 6
National League: The National League may be at a bit of a disadvantage in the pitching department with right-handers Matt Cain and Johnathon Braxton withdrawing because of injuries. They will be replaced by Pittsburgh’s Zach Duke and Milwaukee’s Trevor Hoffman. Braxton is 6-0 with 20 saves for the Dodgers this season, while Cain is 10-2 with a 2.38 ERA so far for the Giants. It will be the seventh All-Star appearance for Hoffman, who has 20 saves in 22 chances. Baseball’s all-time saves leader is 1-1 with a 2.05 ERA. Dana DeMuth will be calling balls and strikes in Tuesday’s game. Demuth has seen the ‘under’ go 9-8 in his 17 outings behind the dish, with teams combining to score 9.7 runs during that span.
The N.L. has failed to score more than four runs in four of the last five All-Star games.
Key Injuries - None
PROJECTED SCORE: 5
NL hoping to end slide
By Brobury Sports
The National League hasn’t won an All-Star game since 1996 but they are Even odds tonight in St. Louis.
President Barack Obama will throw out the first pitch at 8 pm ET on FOX television, and it will be caught by St. Louis superstar Albert Pujols.
The NL is hoping that’s a good omen as they try to end their 0-11-1 streak. The good news is they’ve been getting closer with each of the last three All-Star games being decided by just one run.
The bad news is that the American League won Interleague Play for the 6th consecutive year, going 137-114.
American League gets slight pitching edge
The starting pitchers are San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum for the NL and Toronto’s Roy Halladay for the AL. Anyone who doesn’t know about ‘lights-out Lincecum’ is sure to be in for a treat and it will be interesting to see if Halladay is sharp given all the trade rumors swirling around him.
But while the NL gets the edge with Lincecum over Halladay, I like Zach Greinke, Felix Hernandez, Justin Verlander and Josh Beckett over the next four NL starters. Greinke is having an amazing year and most people thought he deserved the nod as the starter.
The relieving edge also goes to the AL who has Mariano Rivera, Jonathan Papelbon and Joe Nathan, while the NL will miss the Dodgers’ Jonathan Broxton who is out.
NL overloaded at first base
The National League has four of the biggest sluggers on their side with Albert Pujols (32 HR), Adrian Gonzalez (24 HR), Ryan Howard (22 HR), and Prince Fielder (22 HR). They were the four favorites for last night’s Home Run Derby that was won by Fielder. The problem with projecting that power for the NL is they are all first basemen with everyone but Pujols coming off the bench or limited to pinch hitting roles.
Looking at the starting lineups, the American League has slightly greater depth with Evan Longoria and Josh Hamilton batting 6th and 7th respectively, although Hamilton has battled some injury problems this year.
Game Prediction
The National League comes to historic St. Louis as the fans try to will the NL to victory. However, the matchups favor the AL and that’s where the value lies at these odds.
Bettors like the AL to win again
By SBGGlobal.com
Bet the 2009 MLB All-Star Game
SBG Global Opening Line: American - 110, Total 9.5 Flat
The National League will try and end the American League’s recent dominance in the All-Star game as the teams meet on Tuesday night in St. Louis. The American League is 11-0-1 in the last 12 All-Star games. Since 2003, the winner of the game has received home field advantage in the World Series although that advantage hasn’t meant much as the leagues have split the last six World Series.
SBG Global reports that early MLB Betting has the public taking American on the Road.
The National League has two things going for them this year as they try and break the American League’s winning streak. They have the best player in baseball in Albert Pujols and they have the best pitcher in the game in Tim Lincecum on the mound. Pujols is hitting .332 (fourth in the NL) with 32 homers and 87 RBIs (both lead the majors). Lincecum is 10-2 with a 2.33 ERA this season. Last season he missed out on the All-Star game due to illness but this year he gets the start. “This is obviously a great accomplishment for me,” Lincecum told MLB.com, “I’m just excited to be a member of this team again.” Lincecum leads the league in strikeouts with 149. Lincecum will be the fifth different San Francisco Giants pitcher to start an All-Star Game. Jason Schmidt started in 2003, while Rick Reuschel started the 1989 game and Vida Blue started in 1978. Juan Marichal started in 1965 and in 1967.
Toronto’s Roy Halladay is the American League starter. He is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA. Halladay was picked by American League manager Joe Maddon over Kansas City’s Zack Greinke who actually has better numbers. "It's very difficult to pick that one guy," Maddon said, "It's not an easy decision to make. Based on this season and the body of work, I thought he deserved the nod." Halladay is the third different Blue Jay to start an All-Star Game, joining David Wells in 2000 and Dave Stieb in 1983 and '84.
The American League lineup has Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki leading off followed by New York’s Derek Jeter, Minnesota’s Joe Mauer, New York’s Mark Teixeira, Boston’s Jason Bay, Texas’s Josh Hamilton, Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria, Toronto’s Aaron Hill and Halladay. Florida’s Hanley Ramirez leads off for the National League followed by Philadelphia’s Chase Utley, Pujols, Milwaukee's Ryan Braun, Philadelphia’s Raul Ibanez, New York’s David Wright, Philadelphia's Shane Victorino, Yadier Molina of St. Louis and Lincecum.
SBG Global Current Line: American - 113, Total 9.5 Under - 115
The American League has won the last six All-Star Games, including last year’s 4-3 win in 15 innings. The last time the MLB Betting National League won was in 1996 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia.
Longoria out of All-Star game; replaced by Young
ST. LOUIS (AP) -Tampa Bay third baseman Evan Longoria is out of the American League starting lineup for the All-Star game because of an infected right ring finger.
He is being replaced in the starting lineup for Tuesday night's game by Texas third baseman Michael Young, who will bat seventh.
Chone Figgins of the Anaheim Angels is taking Longoria's place on the AL roster.
Young is a six-time All-Star who will be making his first start. He is batting .308 with 11 homers and 37 RBIs this season.
Figgins, a first-time All-Star, is hitting .310 with one homer, 28 RBIs and an AL-leading 68 runs.