MLB All Star Game -

When it comes to All-Star Games in professional sports, I believe that Major League Baseball sets the bar.  It might not be as competitive as playoff games or even some regular season games but the festivities are very entertaining.  I believe that Major League Baseball does a good job of showcasing its best talent in a format that keeps the competitive juices flowing without asking too much of the participants.

THE DERBY

Tonight, the midsummer classic kicks off with the Home Run Derby.  Robinson Cano will be defending his derby crown against some of the league's best bashers - Jose Bautista, Carlos Beltran, Prince Fielder, Carlos Gonzalez, Matt Kemp, Andrew McCutchen and Mark Trumbo will all be swinging for the Kauffman Stadium fences in hopes of becoming this year's Home Run Derby champ.  Kemp, who hasn't played since May, will captain the NL squad while Cano will captain the AL team.  If I had to make a bet, I'd probably lay my money on Jose Bautista... he'll be looking to make up for last year's first round exit.

THE GAME

The Derby is a nice prelude to the actual game, which will take place on Tuesday in Kansas City (at the aforementioned home of the Kansas City Royals, Kauffman Stadium).  Up for grabs is home field advantage in the World Series... like it or not, the outcome of this game does actually mean something.  With that in mind, I wanted to take a look at the rosters and give you my assessment.

AL Starters

C - Mike Napoli
1B - Prince Fielder

2B - Robinson Cano

3B - Adrian Beltre

SS - Derek Jeter

OF - Josh Hamilton

OF - Curtis Granderson

OF - Jose Bautista

DH - David Ortiz

SP - Justin Verlander

NL Starters

C - Buster Posey

1B - Joey Votto

2B - Dan Uggla

3B - Pablo Sandoval

SS - Rafael Furcal

OF - Melky Cabrera

OF - Carlos Beltran

OF - Ryan Braun

DH - Carlos Gonzalez

SP - Matt Cain

The only clear advantages that the NL has are at 1B and catcher, where Votto and Posey are better all around players.  Offensively, the AL has considerably more power.  Verlander is the best pitcher in all of baseball and although Hamilton, Bautista and Fielder aren't known for their defense, Uggla and Sandoval aren't exactly Gold Glove caliber on the left side of the NL diamond and Melky Cabrera will be asked to play center (which is not his primary position).

AL Reserves

C - Joe Mauer, Matt Wieters

IF - Paul Konerko, Ian Kinsler, Miguel Cabrera, Elvis Andrus, Asdrubal Cabrera

DH/OF - Adam Jones, Mike Trout, Mark Trumbo, Billy Butler, Adam Dunn

P - Ryan Cook, Yu Darvish, Matt Harrison, Felix Hernandez, Jim Johnson, Joe Nathan, Chris Perez, David Price, Fernando Rodney, CC Sabathia, Chris Sale, Jered Weaver, Jake Peavy, C.J. Wilson

NL Reserves

C - Yadier Molina, Carlos Ruiz

IF - Bryan LaHair, Jose Altuve, Starlin Castro, Ian Desmond, David Freese, Chipper Jones, David Wright, Jay Bruce, Andrew McCutchen, Matt Holliday, Giancarlo Stanton, Michael Bourn, Bryce Harper

P - Aroldis Chapman, R.A. Dickey, Gio Gonzalez, Cole Hamels, Joel Hanrahan, Clayton Kershaw, Craig Kimbrel, Lance Lynn, Wade Miley, Jonathan Papelbon, Stephen Strasburg, Huston Street

I think that the NL has some advantages on their bench.  David Wright and Andrew McCutchen are having MVP-type seasons and they'll have exciting players batting ahead of them (Bourn, Harper and Castro are all run scoring threats).   The NL also boasts a stronger arsenal of arms, especially considering the AL will be without at least two starters (Sabathia and Wilson).  But it's hard to ignore the obvious - the AL is stronger on paper.  Some of the guys that the NL will trot out there will be making their first and last All-Star appearance in 2012 (namely LaHair and Altuve).  

My prediction: the NL finds a way to grind out a win... they weather the early storm and come back to win behind stellar pitching.  Perhaps a homer pick, I think that Carlos Ruiz wins the MVP award (Yadier Molina will miss the game so Chooch will play a lot) and I would not be surprised to see Chipper Jones do some damage in his final all-star appearance.

Biggest Snubs...

AL - Josh Reddick, Alex Gordon, Austin Jackson, Edwin Encarnacion, Jason Kipnis, A.J. Pierzynski, Alex Rios

The fans get their picks and then the players and then the managers... Every team needs one representative and every position needs to be amply filled... clearly, this is not as easy as A+B=C but Josh Reddick would have better pick over Ryan Cook and Alex Gordon has an argument over Billy Butler and both were manager picks so in this case it is fair to ask, "WTF, Ron?"  But the biggest snub, in my opinion, is Austin Jackson, who is 9th in WAR across major league baseball (ahead of Josh Hamilton, Miguel Cabrera and Jose Bautista, to name a few).  

NL - Zack Greinke, Johnny Cueto, Martin Prado, Chase Headley

Greinke and Cueto are having outstanding years.  Three Phillies made the roster but only two deserved to be there (sorry, Pap).  Headley should have made the team over Huston Street (who spent a decent portion of the season on the DL) and I would have preferred Martin Prado over manager's selection Jay Bruce.