2012 MLB All-Star Game Preiew

The 83rd MLB All-Star Game will take place tonight at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City.  The winner will receive home field advantage in the World Series, as usual.

HISTORY: Here’s a short history of the winners, the NL has now won two straight all-star games, after the AL won 12 in a row and tied with the NL in 2002 in Miller Park.  The NL has had its own run of dominance, winning the game every season from 1972 to 1982 and it leads the AL in wins all-time int he game with 42 over the AL’s 38 and the game has had two ties.  This is the second time Kauffman Stadium has hosted an All-Star Game.

PITCHERS: AL: Justin Verlander- Verlander was always good, but he stepped his game up to the elite level the past two years and is the best pitcher in the AL right now, he deserves this start and he can shut down any hitters.  Tonight you may see him pump up his fastball early, since he will in all likelihood only pitch two innings.  He’s a great pitcher and should make the most of his start, he can be very impressive
NL: Matt Cain- He’s thrown a perfect game so far and has put up numbers that are great.  I’ve always personally loved the way Cain pitches and I think he should also do good and I think he deserves the start more than RA Dickey, he has similar numbers but has been better longer and should finish the season with impressive and better numbers than Dickey, both Cain and JV should do well and impress

LINE-UPS:
NL

1. DH Crlos Gonzalez- Lefty who can hit, not sure about him doing very well in the game
2. CF Melky Cabrera- Leads MLB in hits, having another great season, could table set
3. LF Ryan Braun- Regained his power, sleeper to do something huge
4. 1B Joey Votto- Best hitter in the NL and has had some amazing feats, watch out for him as always
5. RF Carlos Beltran- Having another MVP season, watch out for him as he played in this park a long time
6. C Buster Posey- Another great hitter, especially for a catcher, but not sure about him
7. 3B Pablo Sandoval- Wright has been better, but a great hitter who can change the outcome of the game
8. 2B Dan Uggla- Power guy, always there to hit a HR
9. SS Rafael Furcal- I like putting a good hitter to do well at the bottom of the line-up

AL

1. SS Derek Jeter- Who else would lead-off?
2. 2B Robinson Cano- Not convinced  he will do good tonight, but great swing
3. LF Josh Hamilton- Great hitter, great season, great Al–Start Game? I say yes
4. RF Jose Bautista- Best chance out of any player for a HR tonight
5. 1B Prince Fielder- Could very easily win back to back ASG MVPs
6. 3B Adrain Beltre- RBI machine right behind a few great hitters
7. DH David Ortiz- He is a great power hitter at the bottom of the line-up
8. C Mike Napoli- Probably won’t do good, but has pop
9. CF Curtis Granderson- I’d hit him ahead of Napoli because he could have a big night

   TOP PINCH HITTERS FOR EACH SQUAD
   AL
   1. Miguel Cabrera
   2. Mike Trout
   3. Paul Konerko
   4. Billy Butler
   5. Adam Jones

NL

1. Chipper Jones (He has magic in his last season, he’s that type of player)
2. Andrew McCutchen
3. Starlin Castro
4. David Wright
5. Bryce Harper

PREDICTION: AL 6 NL 2  MVP: Josh Hamilton
Thanks to MLB.com and BaseballReference.com for some of the info in this post