MLB All-Star Betting – NL Will Steal Home Field Advantage In Fall Classic

It’s the 81st Annual All-Star Game from Anaheim, California! The American League hasn’t lost this game in 13 years, including the infamous tie-game in 2002. Unfortunately for logic’s sake, this game still determines which league gets home-field advantage in the World Series.  

MLB All-Star Game
Tuesday, July 13th, 2010 – 8:00 PM EST
Broadcast: ESPN 
MLB All-Star Betting Line: AL -125

Run Line:
NL +1.5 -175
AL -1.5 +155

Total:
8.5 O -115
8.5 U -105

Pitching:
NL:
2010 is being called “The Year of the Pitcher,” and most of the NL’s pitching staff is the reason why. The Senior Circuit is rolling out one of the most talented groups of starters in All-Star history. Led by 15-game winner and no-hitter-thrower Ubaldo Jimenez, the NL’s staff looks like something out of a video game. Following Jimenez is Roy Halladay (who threw a perfect game two months ago), Josh Johnson (leads league in ERA), Tim Lincecum (2-time Cy Young), Adam Wainwright and Tim Hudson.

The bullpen is led by Brian Wilson, Jonathon Broxton and NL saves leader Heath Bell. The trio of NL-West closers are some of the best in the game and will most definitely see action in the later innings.  

AL:
While not as flashy, the American League rotation is a pretty damn solid group of arms. 12-game winner David Price leads the charge, with three fellow lefty’s right behind him. Cliff Lee (MLB-leader in WHIP), Andy Pettitte and Jon Lester are all top-flight pitchers. The weak link in the starting rotation is token Indians All-Star Fausto Carmona. Carmona can be beaten, especially by strong teams (i.e. and ALL-STAR TEAM), and may be the reason the AL may lose this game.  

Batting:
NL:
The National League starting lineup may not scream All-Star, but it’s filled with capable players eager to win. Albert Pujols against lead the squad, while David Wright and Andre Ethier are expected to provide secondary scoring. Hanley Ramirez, who came in second place in the 2010 Derby, will also be a focal point in the NL offense.

The NL-bench is a very impressive one, especially at first base. After Pujols, the NL trots out Ryan Howard, Adrian Gonzalez and Joey Votto, all potential MVP candidates at the end of the season. It’s also a very young and new bench; 9 of the 16 bench spots are by players making their All-Star debut.  

AL:
This is the American League’s strength. Their number eight hitter (Robinson Cano) leads the Yankees in batting average and is second in home runs. Josh Hamilton, Miguel Cabrera and Vladimir Guerrero are all having career years and make up the heart of the order.

The AL bench features a litany of power hitters. MLB home run leader Jose Bautista is on the team, as is 2010 Home Run Derby Champion David Ortiz. Alex Rodriguez, Adrian Beltre and Paul Konerko can all mash the ball, but it may be easier said than done against the NL’s pitching staff.  

Outlook:

The American League hasn’t lost in 13 years, but I think that streak will end in Anaheim. The NL pitching is just too talented to hit with any consistency, and the AL All-Stars will soon figure that out.  

MLB All-Star Betting Pick: National League