Two Guys Sports
Bruce Bostwick2008 Baseball All Star Game Starting Lineups and Prediction
July 15th 2008 23:28
National League Starting Lineup
SS Hanley Ramirez, FLA
2B Chase Utley, PHI
1B Lance Berkman, HOU
3B Chipper Jones, ATL
RF Matt Holliday, COL
LF Ryan Braun, MIL
CF Kosuke Fukudome, CHC
C Geovany Soto, CHC
Starting Pitcher
RHP Ben Sheets, MIL
The thing I like about this National League lineup that manager Clint Hurdle has set up is that he was smart enough to put Albert Pujols in as the starting designated hitter. He should be able to stay in for the entire game, which could be just what the N.L. needs to break a long streak of A.L. wins. With Ben Sheets as the starting pitcher and best rested N.L. pitcher it will be interesting to see if he comes out for the second inning or not. The MVP of the National's squad will be either Pujols, or the guy everyone criticized for being voted into the game, Kosuke Fukudome. All of that will not matter since the A.L. is going to win again.
American League Starting Lineup
RF Ichiro Suzuki, SEA
SS Derek Jeter, NYY
CF Josh Hamilton, TEX
3B Alex Rodriguez, NYY
LF Manny Ramirez, BOS
DH Milton Bradley, TEX
1B Kevin Youkilis, BOS
C Joe Mauer, MIN
2B Dustin Pedroia, BOS
Starting Pitcher
LHP Cliff Lee, CLE
Manager Terry Francona respects the game, and respects Yankee Stadium, and everything it stands for. To this end he put Derek Jeter and Alex Rodriguez in their regular spots in the lineup in their home park. There has also been some discussion as to who will come in for the ninth inning to finish out the game. Will it be Francona's closer, Jonathan Papelbon, or Yankees closer Mariano Rivera? Well, as I just said about Francona, he respects the Stadium, and everything it stands for, even as the Red Sox manager. I believe regardless of the score Mariano Rivera will be throwing the final pitch for the American League in this game, barring some odd extra inning scenario when Francona wouldn't know when to put him in. It might be sacrilege to have more Red Sox in the starting lineup than Yankees in the final All Star game in the House that Ruth Built, but we will have to live with that. I would like to say either of the starting Yankees will be named the MVP of the game, but I don't think it will happen. I think Josh Hamilton will continue his dream All Star break and have an outstanding game (adding to his home run total of 35). Hopefully they can leave him in for most of the game, and give him a chance to go 3 for 3 or more.
My prediction: A.L. 9 - N.L. 7
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