The 2007 baseball season reaches it unofficial mid-point this week with the All-Star festivities beginning on Monday. This year's All-Star game is being played at AT&T Park in San Francisco, likely the only park in baseball in which Barry Bonds would not be booed. There was speculation that Bonds would take part in Monday night's home run derby in his home ballpark, but according to Bonds he'll be sitting this one out. As of Thursday, the complete lineup for the annual homerfest was not yet confirmed. The only confirmed participants were defending champ Ryan Howard, AL MVP Justin Morneau, and the Brewers' big slugger Prince Fielder. Other names being tossed around include former derby champ Ken Griffey Jr., Miguel Cabrera and Carlos Lee. Don't expect to see home run leader Alex Rodriguez in the Derby. A-Rod has already said he's giving the derby a pass and he may even end up skipping the All-Star game to rest his injured hamstring. Whatever the lineup of mashers turns out to be, the favorite will be Howard after the show he put on in Pittsburgh last season. After the sluggers display their power strokes on Monday night, the actual All-Star game takes the spotlight on Tuesday. The National League will be looking to end a long losing streak in the midsummer classic, as the AL has a 10-game unbeaten streak. The AL hasn't actually won 10 All-Star games in a row, thanks to the ridiculous 7-7 tie in the 2002 game after both squads ran out of players. Last year the AL won 3-2 courtesy a two-run triple by Michael Young in the ninth inning. The game-winning hit won Young the MVP award. Young will have a chance to win back-to-back MVPs this year as he is returning as a reserve shortstop. No player has ever won back-to-back All-Star game MVP awards, but there have been a few repeat winners, including Cal Ripken Jr. and Gary Carter.
The starting pitchers have not yet been announced but cutting the list down to two or three from each league usually isn't too hard. For the AL the start will likely go to either AL wins leader C.C. Sabathia, ERA leader Dan Haren, or Boston ace Josh Beckett. Johan Santana could get the nod because he's Johan Santana, and Justin Verlander might get preferential treatment because of his no-hitter and since Jim Leyland is managing. But most likely it will be whichever pitcher out of Sabathia, Haren or Beckett whose throwing schedule best fits the date. The NL starter should be either Brad Penny or Jake Peavy, hands down. Penny is 10-1 with the best ERA in the NL, while Peavy has only one fewer win and his ERA is only 0.09 higher. Either pitcher would be a fine choice. Starting Lineups:American League
C: Ivan Rodriguez 1B: David Ortiz 2B: Placido Polanco 3B: Alex Rodriguez SS: Derek Jeter OF: Vladimir Guerrero OF: Magglio Ordonez OF: Ichiro Suzuki National League C: Russell Martin 1B: Prince Fielder 2B: Chase Utley 3B: David Wright SS: Jose Reyes OF: Carlos Beltran OF: Barry Bonds OF: Ken Griffey Check out the MLB Baseball Betting Odds at WagerWeb.com
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