MLB All Star Game 2011: Can the National League make it two in a row?

Usually good pitching wins the All Star Game, but with so many pitchers on the rosters, who should we expect to see on the mound, and how will this effect the outcome.

To say the American League has ‘owned’ the mid-summer classic would rank right up there with history’s classic understatements. MLB Statistics show that they had won 13 straight games before losing to the National League 3-1 in Anaheim.

The AL All-Stars are favored again in this year's MLB All-Star Game this year drawing an opening number of -120 with the total at 8 on the MLB odds boards. Pregame coverage begins at 8:00 PM ET on Fox with first-pitch scheduled for the 8:30.

Who do you like?

There’s a strong case to be made for the American League which has got the superior offense lead by major league home run leader Jose Bautista who has 28 home runs. Adrian Gonzalez, David Ortiz, Josh Hamilton and Curtis Granderson can all mash. Miguel Cabrera, Adrian Beltre and Michael Young are all capable reserves.

Jose Bautista also is the current betting odds favorite in this year's Home Run Derby, listed at 3/1 with Bodog.

No matter how talented the AL hitters are, it’s going to be a chore trying to get much going against an NL pitching staff headed Roy Halladay, MLB strikeout leader Clayton Kershaw, 12-game winner Jair Jurrjens, and Tim Lincecum.

The safe play in recent years has been the ‘under’ which is 4-0-1 in the past five years and that’s still my preferred choice. While the NL rates a slight edge on the hill, the AL staff can more than hold its own with the likes of CC Sabathia, Jerod Weaver and Justin Verlander throwing them down.

Lineup shuffle

The All-Star game has become known for its last minute replacements making it even tougher to handicap. Some players have legitimate injuries that keep them out of the game while others simply would prefer the time off to another game and all that goes with it.

The Yankees Derek Jeter is a prime example of a player who is just worn out. The pressure of chasing 3,000 and all of the stuff that surrounds including the immense media coverage has taken its toll on the Yankees captain who decided to skip the game. In his case he deserves a pass.

In case you missed it the first time around here are the respective starting lineups. The asterisk indicates a player who will be out due to injury or illness.

American League

C- Alex Avilla, Detroit Tigers

1B- Adrian Gonzalez, Boston Red Sox

2B- Robinson Cano, New York Yankees

SS- *Derek Jeter, New York Yankees (rest)

3B- *Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees (knee)

OF- Jose Bautista, Toronto Blue Jays

OF- Curtis Granderson, New York Yankees

OF- Josh Hamilton, Texas Rangers

DH- David Ortiz, Boston Red Sox

With both Jeter and A-Rod (knee) opting to rest, it appears that Asdrubal Cabrera (Indians) and Adrian Beltre (Rangers) will take their spots in the lineup.

National League

C- Brian McCann, Atlanta Braves

1B- Prince Fielder, Milwaukee Brewers

2B- Richie Weeks, Milwaukee Brewers

SS- *Jose Reyes, New York Mets (hamstring)

3B- Placido Polanco, Philadelphia Phillies

OF- Matt Kemp, Los Angeles Dodgers

OF- Lance Berkman, St. Louis Cardinals

OF- Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers

Either Cubs rookie Starlin Castro or Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies will replace Reyes.

Pitching

Following the embarrassing tie game in 2002 when both teams ran out of pitchers, baseball has swung back the other way and now has too many pitchers. Half the guys on each roster won’t play and most will never see the bullpen but at least they’re on hand if needed.

The best way to gauge which pitchers you’ll see in action on Tuesday is actually pretty simple. If they pitched on Thursday you’ll probably see them for an inning or two. If they worked any later in the week the chances grow slimmer that they’ll even warm-up. With five All-Star starting pitchers scheduled to work Sunday that means five additional pitchers will be named. Any pitcher who works on Sunday is ineligible to play in the game.

Let me count the ways

The way the rosters are assembled has also become a watered down process. There’s the fan vote, the players vote, the coaches vote and if you still haven’t made the team, there’s the ever popular internet vote to determine the final roster spot. This year Paul Konerko won point and click honors for the AL with Shane Victorino in the NL. However Victorino was placed on the disabled list Friday and will be replaced on the NL squad by Phoenix native Andre Ethier of the Dodgers.