A day almost all baseball fans look forward to is the All Star game. The best players from all around baseball represent their respective league in a game that decides who gets home field advantage in the World Series. Before, it was played just for fun, but now it actually means something.
The AL squad, led by Red Sox manager Terry Francona is set to look something like this.
1: Ichiro Suzuki, RF, Mariners
2: Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees
3: Josh Hamilton, CF, Rangers
4: Alex Rodriguez, 3B, Yankees
5: Manny Ramirez, LF, Red Sox
6: Milton Bradley, DH, Rangers
7: Kevin Youkilis, 1B, Red Sox
8: Joe Mauer, C, Twins
9: Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
And the starting pitcher, in case you haven’t heard, is Indians’ southpaw ace, Cliff Lee.
Here’s the NL lineup led by Rockies’ skipper, Clint Hurdle.
1: Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins
2: Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies
3: Lance Berkman, 1B, Astros
4: Albert Pujols, DH, Cardinals
5: Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves
6: Matt Holliday, RF, Rockies
7: Ryan Braun, LF, Brewers
8: Kosuke Fukudome, CF, Cubs
9: Geovany Soto, C, Cubs
And the starting pitcher is Ben Sheets, the Milwaukee Brewers’ ace. As you can see, both lineups are equally impressive. Also, both sides are filled with a bunch of first time all star players. The interesting this is, only Utely and Fukudome are the lefty hitters, everyone else is a switch hitter or bats right handed. Since Yankee stadium has a short right field porch, lefty sluggers could get easy home runs. However, since Lee is pitching, it will be hard for the lefties’ to hit and there will only be two in the lineup.
Even though both sides are filled with sluggers, I don’t think the All Star game is going to be a slug fest, I think it will be a good pitchers duel with the game being won in late innings. The AL has had the upperhand in past All Star games, but this year, the NL lineup and pitching staff are equally as impressive and it will certainly be a good game to watch.
Stay tuned for post All Star game coverage. Be sure to leave any reactions on the All Star game below.
