So I know the game is just about under way, but The SportsBrahs gotta at least drop our 2 cents in, regarding the mid summer classic so your boy Dbl-A has this on lockdown for you. Plus, as a die hard Bronx Bombers fan, let me be frank here: We have a good shot at making a World Series run this October and home field advantage would be just downright hot. I'm not gonna sit here and kid myself about that.
So after I checked both starting lineups I realized I was pretty happy with both league selections, and for the most part the fans got it right. Immediately you see some of the usual suspects: Pujols, Hanley, Howard, and Braun for the NL and Ichiro, Jeter, Longoria and Mauer AL- so absolutely no shockers here bro.
Most deserving NL starter: Martin Prado
-I know it is not the obvious choice, and many would consider him the least known player in the lineup but Phillies Manager Charlie Manuel got this one right. Prado is leading the NL in batting average to a tune of .325 with 61 runs, and 10 homers. It was already well known that this guy could hit but the 10 bomb shots must have Bobby Cox pitching a tent right now. Plus, the Braves are a surprising (maybe not) first place team at the break.
Most Deserving AL starter: Josh Hamilton
- Not really even close with this one. After an injury plagued 2009 season, and a slow start to 2010's campaign, many people around baseball thought this kid was a one hit wonder, but no pun intended. Hamilton's fairy tale story continues though, as he has been absolutely raping major league pitching over the last 2 months or so. Among the top 3 in AL batting with a .346, his 59 runs, 22 homers, and 69 RBI are reminiscent of the type of numbers Mickey Mantle used to put up. Mike Francesa said it, and I def would have to agree. Love this kid.
Least Deserving NL starter: Yadier Molina
- It could be a cop out to pick on the irrelevant offensive position that is the catcher, but Molina's defense just hasn't been good enough to get him an All Star start. He's batting .223 with 3 bombs. I mean, I'm all for catchers getting voted in as long as they play rediculous defense cause that, and working with the pitching staff is basically their main job. Still, the Cub's former rookie of the year Geovany Soto looks like he's found his bat again and if only he could combine those numbers with Russel Martin's defense then I would say Molina would get the axe.
Least Deserving AL starter: There really is none.
-Can't really find one. I mean, I was considering Mauer but even he still deserves it. Other AL catchers like Toranto's John Buck, and Oakland's Kurt Suzuki have far better power numbers but Joe Mauer is still JOE MAUER. All around stud player. Good clubhouse guy, team leader, Minnesota golden child and he's STILL batting around .300. Plus, Minnesota's beautiful new stadium Target field has boned him in the power department. Nevertheless, look for Mauer to finish around his usual career batting average in baseballs second half.
I'm very happy with the starting pitcher selections. The NL's Ubaldo Jimenez is putting together a PHENOMENAL year in what has already been marked as an historically great start. Bull dog mentality with the stuff to go along. He's a staggering 15-1 with 113 strikeouts and a 2.23 ERA. Don't look for those numbers to fall off too much as your boy looks to win 25 games for the first time in a long time.
David Price is a nice pick and the kid definitely deserves it. Tampa Bay's young stud hurler has lived up to the hype so far with 12 wins 100 strikeouts and a 2.42 ERA. The Rays will most likely be battling Bean town and the Yank's till the last few games so look for the headstrong Price to rise to the occasion. Love this kid's makeup.
The AL's lineup this year is about as good as I have ever seen. I am not the biggest fan of the All-Star game, but let's be real- its for the fans and it is usually well done. Top to bottom though this has to be one of the best lineups in recent seasons. Vlad Guerrero batting fourth!? What is this 2002 again for the big Dominican? I mean, that's how good this lineup is and make no mistake about it- Vlad deserves where he is in the AL lineup. The Angels looks pretty fucking stupid now especially after losing him to a division rival that looks poised to win the AL West. Just goes to show you that you can't give up on one of the best right handed hitters in the last 40 years that easily.
The AL just looks too strong and the last 13 years of winning don't lie.
All Star MVP prediction: Evan Longoria
Prediction: American League - 8 National League- 4
P.S. Joe Buck....suck my balls, I hate you.
-Dbl-A
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