All-Stars and predictions.

This is a post from our good friend Danny Lamonte. Enjoy, I know I did.

July is my one of my favorite times of year---you have the baseball season in full swing, All-Star roster debates taking place, NFL Training Camp are about to start, the ThugBA is giving role players millions of dollars, and Global Warming is proving to be a true as Santa Claus.

With all this stated, I wanted to take the opportunity to name my own All-Star based on a combination of merit and contribution to their team, and make a Home Run Derby & All-Star game prediction.

AL All-Stars
1st Base- Mark Teixeira-NYY, Kevin Youkilis-BOS- “Tex” carried the Yanks for the month of May, is 2nd in HRs, and top 5 in RBIs, all while playing gold glove defense.

2nd Base-Aaron Hill-TOR, Ian Kinsler-TEX, Cano-NYY- I’m ready to hear the “no Pedoria?!?!? Are you kidding me?” And those thoughts would be justified; after all he is hitting almost .400 in the 8th inning and after, but you tell me who gets left off:

Player A: .295/20HRs/60RBIs
Player B: .253/20HRs/55RBIs
Player C: .309/13HRs/46RBIs
Player D: .300/4HRs/40RBIs
Player D, right? Well that’s Pedoria…the voted in starter by the fans. Hill is having an amazing year leading an upstart Jays team that is hanging tough in the best division in baseball.

3rd Base- Evan Longoria-TB, Russell Branyan- SEA- Basically, Longoria is playing in a different league than everyone else at his position both offensively and defensively. Branyan is showing signs of the ability he once displayed in the Indians farm system as a kid. Scott Rolen and your .324, I apologize there just isn’t room for you since I took 3 second basemen. Likewise, in my opinion, Young has not gotten enough attention this year after making a smooth transition from SS to 3B.
Side note: I find it interesting that A-rod was not voted in by the fans…yes, he was hurt and his numbers are down, but isn’t that the case of Josh Hamilton, the fan voted in starting CF? Maybe this shows how we view our heroes who come full circle with humility, and our villains who get caught and make excuses?

Shortstop- Derek Jeter-NYY, Jason Bartlett-TB - Jeter may be having the best year of his career (.320/10HRs/17SBs/108hits/56runs/40BB(on pace for a career high). Not bad for an “overrated SS”. Bartlett has been a surprising player this year batting just below .350.

Catcher- Joe Mauer-MIN, Victor Martinez-CLE- Mauer isn’t going for .400, but he may break the record for highest average ever for a catcher at .367. Martinez has tanked the past 3 weeks, but is the only Indian outside of Cliff Lee that even deserves as All-Star nomination conversation.

OF- Jason Bay-BOS, Tori Hunter-LAA, Carl Crawford-TB, Adam Lind-TOR, Ichrio Suzuki-SEA, Johnny Damon-NYY, Adam Jones-BAL, Ben Zobrist-TB- Bay is my mid-season MVP; he leads the AL in RBIs, has been unbelievably clutch for the Sox this year. Hunter continues to get better and defy everyone who says “this has to be the year he breaks down.” Crawford’s stolen base totals are amazing and cause he to place him slightly over Ichrio. Lastly, Damon makes the team with his 16HRs/.276/50RBIs/41BBs/8SBs out of the 2-hole. That’s better numbers than Inge, plus he has 4 walk-off hits for the Yanks so far this season has been there most consistent OF. Ben Zobrist has been an amazing surprise this year and, from his interviews, appears to be one of the nicest guys in the game. His 17HRs and 52 RBIs aren’t bad either. Adam Jones, though his numbers aren’t as deserving as other outfielders, represents Baltimore both now and for the future.

Starting Pitchers-Roy Halladay-TOR, Zach Greinke-KC, Tim Wakefield-BOS, Josh Beckett-BOS, Mark Buehrle-CWS, Justin Verlander-DET, Jared Weaver-LAA, Felix Hernandez-SEA- Now I believe Greinke deserves the start, but baseball cannot pass up the publicity by starting the hottest player on the trade market in Halladay.
Closers- Mariano Rivera-NYY, Brian Fuentes-LAA, Joe Nathan-MIN, Jonathan Papelbon-BOS, Andrew Bailey-OAK- Mo just got his 500th save and is the perfect lockdown closer for the AL.

NL All Stars (starters in bold)
1st Base- Albert Pujols-STL, Prince Fielder-MIL- Pujols is on another planet right now and is clearly the game’s best all-around player. Fielder has regained his power and average this year…he is going to need it in a tight division. I am only putting 2 1st basemen because I think Pujols should play the whole game in his home town.

2nd base- Chase Utley-PHI, Orlando Hudson-LAD -As much as it pains me to put Utley as a starter (I think he is a horrible example of a role model and he cussed at the Yankee Stadium faithful last year) I have to put him as a starter because there is no one else even close to his numbers. Though Hudson numbers aren’t great they aren’t bad either and his gold glove defense, hustle, and attitude put him on the team for me.

3rd Base- Pablo Sandoval-SF, Mark Reynolds-ARI, David Wright-NYM- Pablo is the only Giant that seems to be able to hit the ball, but he can hit it well. Pablo is batting .324 (higher than Wright) with 15 HRs & 55 RBIs. Reynolds is on pace for a 30HR/30SB year and 120 RBIs (his pace of 200 plus strikeouts is scray though). Wright is a fan favorite and his .323 and 20 SBs aren’t too shabby either.

Shortstop- Hanley Ramirez-FLA, Miguel Tejada-HOU- Hanley, playing through injuries, is in the running for the batting title, has 14 HRs, and carries a low payroll Marlins team. Tejada, at whatever age he is, is still playing good defense and batting .330.

Catcher- Brian McCann-ATL, Yadier Molina-STL- The All Star game is about rewarding players and giving the fans what they want. McCann didn’t see an inning in last year’s All-Star game so I want to make sure and reward him this year. Secondly, the fans of St. Louie deserve to get to see their defensive genius Molina play in the game as well.

OF- Raul Ibanez-PHI, Matt Kemp-LAD, Ryan Braun-MIL, Brad Hawpe-COL, Juan Pierre-LAD, Adam Dunn-WAS, Carlos Beltran-NYM, Shane Victorino-PHI, Justin Upton-ARI- HOW IS KEMP NOT EVEN ON THE ALL STAR TEAM?!?!?! Maybe I have a man-crush on Kemp but the dude’s numbers are unbelievable (11HRs/50RBIs/19SBs/.324) all while being on the best team in baseball. Meanwhile Ibanez was leading the league in HRs and RBIs before he got hurt, and Braun is solid all the way around. Hawpe is finally getting some recognition after Holliday left town. Pierre may seem like an odd selection since he doesn’t even start for his own team, but you can’t overlook a .323 average and 23 SBs. Dunn is an AL outfielder that just can’t seem to get to the AL and represents my lone National. Beltran is excellent both offensively and defensively when healthy, and lastly Victorino should not have had to be voted in but I think his own manager felt badly picking his own players.

Starting Pitchers-Tim Lincecum-SF, Dan Haren-ARI, Matt Cain-SF, Chad Billingsley-LAD, Adam Wainwright-STL, Jason Marquis-COL, Zach Duke-PIT, Josh Johnson-FLA- Lincecum is a “freak” of nature, a modern day Pedro who is a threat to throw a no-no each time he walks out on the mound. Zack Duke gets the nod despite a .500 record because of a 1.2 WHIP, and 3.29 ERA for an awful Pittsburgh team.
Closers- Ryan Franklin-STL, Heath Bell-SD, Francisco Cordero-CIN, Francisco Rodriguez-NYM, Kevin Gregg-CHC, Trevor Hoffman-MIL- Though Franklin doesn’t have the most saves in the league, his ERA is under 1 and you have to have the home town guy close the All-Star game if possible.

Predictions Sure to Not Come True
Home Run Derby Champ- Albert Pujols-STL- This would be another feel good story for the Cards, but beyond that Pujols is familiar with the parks background and will have momentum behind him. Secondly, can the real HR hitters please sign-up and drop the “it will hurt my swing” excuse. You are major leaguers for crying out loud!

All-Star Game Winner- NL 10-AL 5---NL has starting pitching to hold off the NL.
All-Star Game MVP- Chase Utley-just trying to curse him for the second half.