NL All-Star predictions

[UeckerAddict]

Keeping in place the leading vote getters, making sure every team has a representative, and using 33 solid roster spots with the 34th being the final five, here is my all star predictions as of today (man, outside of first base, there is nothing in the NL infields).

 

VOTE WINNERS

C- Brian McCann ATL

1B- Albert Pujols STL

2B- Brandon Phillips CIN

3B- Placido Polanco PHIL

SS- Troy Tulowitzki COL

OF- Ryan Braun MIL

OF- Lance Berkman STL

OF- Matt Holliday STL

 

P- Roy Halladay PHIL

P- Cole Hamels PHIL

P- Jair Jurrgens ATL

P- Kyle Lohse STL

P- Tim Lincecum SF

P- Tommy Hanson ATL

P- Shawn Marcum MIL

P- Clayton Kershaw LAD

P- Jason Marquis WASH

P- JJ Putz ARIZ

P- Heath Bell SD

P- Francisco Rodriguez NYM

P- Leo Nunez FLA

(Nunez, and maybe K-Rod, should probably be replaced by Hanrahan and Madsen based on peripherals instead of girth saves).

 

DH- Prince Fielder MIL

C- Yadier Molina STL

OF- Matt Kemp LAD

OF- Jay Bruce CIN

OF- Hunter Pence HOU

OF- Andrew McCutchen PIT

IF- Joey Votto CIN

IF- Gaby Sanchez FLA

IF- Rickie Weeks MIL

IF- Jose Reyes NYM

IF- Starlin Castro CHI

IF- Freddy Sanchez SF (gotta have someone who can play third and, since Bochy is coaching, this is a likely choice)

 

FINAL FIVE:

P- Anibal Sanchez FLA

P- Yovani Gallardo MIL

P- Charlie Morton PIT

OF- Andre Ethier LAD

OF- Carlos Beltran OF

 

(In truth, I am probably being biased putting Yo on this list. He has the record, but not the peripherals. Of course, starting with tonight, he has time to make that up).

 

A few on the fringe: Mike Stanton, Jaime Garcia, Kevin Correia, Justin Upton, Stephen Drew, Ryan Roberts, Ian Kennedy, Joel Hanrahan, Ryan Madsen, Brian Wilson (Wilson has a leg up because his manager is managing the NL).

 

If you argue that someone should be in who is not, please say who should be out. There is only a certain number of roster spots and every team needs a rep.

[topper09er]

The game is in AZ so there wont be a DH right?

[yoshii8]

If there's no DH, it should be fun watching the Braun, Holiday and Berkman outfield. I'd imagine we'll get our first taste of Braun in CF.

[DocBrewPack]

The game is in AZ so there wont be a DH right?

I believe they always DH in the all-star game because AL pitchers could get hurt.....

[UeckerAddict]

The game is in AZ so there wont be a DH right?

I believe they always DH in the all-star game because AL pitchers could get hurt.....

Correct. All all-star games have a DH nowadays. I actually do like that rule.

[PrinceEatMeat]

The game is in AZ so there wont be a DH right?

I believe they always DH in the all-star game because AL pitchers could get hurt.....

They used to only use the DH in AL parks. The 2009 All-Star game in St. Louis didn't use a DH. They changed it this year, so they are using the DH.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Also, didn't a lot of players say they would boycott the game this year because it is being held in Arizona and the anti-illegal immigration bill. I think Gallardo was one of them.

[TuesdaysWithRillo]

Brandon Phillips shouldn't be an All Star starter with his .745 OPS. Weeks has the better numbers even if you factor in defense.

[ninja33]

I think Drew Storen will be Washington's rep, not Jason Marquis. I wouldn't have a problem with Espinosa on the team, but it won't happen. So put Storen in for Marquis...if you want to keep the same starter/reliever balance put a starter in for K-Rod (probably Cliff Lee...?). I'd also put Craig Kimbrel on instead of Leo Nunez....relievers are kind of a crapshoot (is there really any way Bochy doesn't take Brian Wilson?).

 

I think you nailed it with the position players though. I hope Freddy Sanchez doesn't make it, but I see what you're getting at. If you need someone to play third base, then Ryan Roberts should be the pick. But ultimately it will be Chipper. Kind of a lifetime achievement thing/he does have one of the best OPS for NL 3B (i think he only trails Roberts).

[Oxy]

I firmly believe that the NL will be able to beat the Yankees in the All-Star game this year. 6 out of the 8 starting position players are Bombers right now.

[dlk9s]

Brandon Phillips shouldn't be an All Star starter with his .745 OPS. Weeks has the better numbers even if you factor in defense.

He's saying that Phillips will win the fan vote, not that he should.

[UeckerAddict]

I would have put Espinosa on if he wasn't hitting .218. His other numbers are good,though. Yes, I think Rickie should start over Phillips, but won't. Reyes should start over Tulo, but likely won't, and (based on THIS year) Prince and Votto should be duking it out for the start at first, but Pujols will get that.

 

Finding a Cubs rep was hard, and only the weak left side of the infield gave Castro the nod. I can definitely agree that Storen deserved the nod over Marquis. Still, not a lot to choose from in DC. I don't think I gave Morton enough love, but I am suspect that he will keep it up. McCutchen, Beltran, and Ethier are hard to choose one from, but McCutchen got the Pittsburgh vote, even though arguments can be made for Hanrahan and Morton.

 

I wonder if Ryan Roberts will squeek in by virtue of the game being in Arizona.

 

EDIT: Also, Kimbrel's 5 blown saves are kind of an eye sore. I had 4 closers because I think managers are now more willing to burn out (for lack of a better term) bullpen guys than starters. Pitchers who start the Sunday before the AS game are usually unavailable anyway.

[ninja33]

Castro's definitely the only option for the Cubs. If Garza didnt get hurt/have absolutely terrible luck he would be an option as well. But pitching is deep, and the left side of the infield is not....so castro will be the choice.

 

And Roberts absolutely deserves to be the backup 3B. He's been really good, the game is in AZ, and they have a good team....give them a 2nd all star. He should at least be part of the final vote.

[ninja33]

I just love watching Craig Kimbrel pitch. I knew he had blown some games, didn't realize it was 5....so I guess I can agree with him not making it. But he's quickly becoming one of my favorite non-brewers in the league.

[Kricket755]

I know it is not incredibly common, but there may be room for a non-closer reliever. If there was ever going to be one, Johnny Venters this year seems like as good of pick as any. I like his chances of making the team.

[fondybrewfan]

Fielder & Braun are locks, Weeks & Marcum should be virtual locks. If Gallardo keeps winning and knocks down that ERA he has a shot as well. Sadly Lucroy probably has no shot.

[patrickgpe]

Fielder is not a lock fondy only because of the strength of the 1B position. Braun is the only lock. I agree Weeks and Marcum are near locks, and Yo and Lucroy deserve consideration. I will be surprised if the brewers get 4 all stars.

[logan82]

Pujols will be in despite his bad year. Votto was the MVP last year and will also probably get in. I don't see Fielder getting in ahead of either of those 2 and I am not sure they will have 3 1B.

[Funketown]

Castro's definitely the only option for the Cubs. If Garza didnt get hurt/have absolutely terrible luck he would be an option as well. But pitching is deep, and the left side of the infield is not....so castro will be the choice.

It will probably be Castro, but I wouldn't be surprised if Sean Marshall and his 0.95 ERA makes it onto the team as a lefty specialist instead. He's actually been spectacular these last two years.

[yoshii8]

Pujols will be in despite his bad year. Votto was the MVP last year and will also probably get in. I don't see Fielder getting in ahead of either of those 2 and I am not sure they will have 3 1B.

I'm pretty sure they'll find a way to get Fielder on the all-star team. He's 2nd in the nl in both HR's and RBI, and is 3rd in OPS.

 

[JohnBriggs12]

Pujols will be in despite his bad year. Votto was the MVP last year and will also probably get in. I don't see Fielder getting in ahead of either of those 2 and I am not sure they will have 3 1B.

I'm pretty sure they'll find a way to get Fielder on the all-star team. He's 2nd in the nl in both HR's and RBI, and is 3rd in OPS.

They've often had 3 first basemen. No way Fielder or Votto gets left off. I could easily see Zambrano being the Cub rep instead of Castro, who's cooled off. The pitching staffs are the hardest to project. There a tons of candidates this year.

[PrinceEatMeat]

Keep in mind the NL will be using a DH also, so that creates a spot for Fielder. He definitely deserves to be on the team, and I think he will. Fielder and Votto will both be on the team for sure. Just for the record, the NL roster has had 4 1B the last 2 years. Wouldn't be surprised to see Howard make it also.

[pingman]

Venters should be a lock....

 

Phillips & Weeks both deserve to make the team....

[jjkoestler]

I am confused about the voting process. Can you vote 25 times per day, or 25 times per email address? I've been voting during each Brewers game and it appears that my votes have been counted even though I've been using the same email address.

[jnatro]

Yes to Venters.