The 2008 All-Star Game will help celebrate the Yankees’ final season at Yankee Stadium before they move into their new ballpark next season. Although it doesn’t affect the standings, the All-Star Game, 7 p.m. today, still counts since the league that wins will secure home-field advantage for this season’s World Series.
The starting pitchers for the game have been announced, with right-hander Ben Sheets of the Milwaukee Brewers starting for the National League and left-hander Cliff Lee of the Cleveland Indians starting for the American League.
The Houston Astros will send two players to the mid-summer classic – first basemen Lance Berkman and struggling shortstop Miguel Tejada. Tejada won the All-Star Game MVP in 2005. Berkman became an All-Star starter by winning the fan vote and will also participate in the Home Run Derby.
Outfielder Carlos Lee just missed the cut in the final vote to Brewers outfielder Corey Hart.
In the NL starting lineup, first time All-Stars include the Chicago Cubs centerfielder Kosuke Fukudome and catcher Geovany Soto, Brewers outfielder and 2007 NL Rookie of the Year Ryan Braun and Florida Marlins superstar shortstop Hanley Ramirez.
Cubs outfielder Alfonso Soriano was selected to start and makes an NL-leading seventh appearance on this year’s team along with the St. Louis Cardinals’ Albert Pujols. Soriano will not play in the game because of an injury and is replaced by New York Mets third basemen David Wright. Colorado Rockies outfielder Matt Holliday will start in place of Soriano. Cubs pitcher Kerry Wood was also replaced by Chicago reliever Carlos Marmol. The leading vote getter for the NL was Philadelphia Phillies second basemen Chase Utley.
The AL All-Star lineup is highlighted with many Boston Red Sox and Yankees players, with New York third basemen Alex Rodriguez being the top AL vote getter. The starting lineup includes a combined six Yankees and Red Sox. Boston designated hitter David Ortiz, who was voted in as a starter, will not play in the game because of a wrist injury.
Rodriguez and Red Sox slugger Manny Ramirez both make their AL-high twelfth All-Star Game appearance while Yankees closer Mariano Rivera makes an impressive ninth appearance.
The story of the AL team is Texas Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton. Hamilton will start in right field as he leads the league in RBIs. This will be the former No. 1 overall pick’s first All-Star Game in his first season with the Rangers.
Rockies manager Clint Hurdle will manage the NL team and Red Sox manager Terry Francona will manage the AL. The AL has not lost an All-Star game in 11 years, including the tie in 2002, and has swept three of the last four World Series proving that home field advantage is a big issue.
The edge in this game will go to the AL. It will have Hamilton, Rodriguez and Ramirez anchoring the middle of the lineup. It will also have the MLB ERA leader in the Oakland As Justin Duchscherer, the Toronto Blue Jay’s former Cy Young winner Roy Halladay and saves leader Francisco Rodriguez from the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim anchoring the pitching staff.
The NL’s lineup is full of power hitting, led by Atlanta Braves third basemen Chipper Jones, yet it has four first-time All-Stars who may not be ready to play an important game. Cincinnati’s NL ERA leader Edinson Volquez and San Francisco Giants hurler Tim Lincecum will anchor the pitching staff, which will not have the Arizona Diamondbacks’ Brandon Webb, who pitched seven innings on Sunday.
This may not be the NL’s game, but my game prediction goes to the NL, with the switch hitter Berkman having a big game at Yankee stadium.
