7-12-11

[timbob]

New Guys!

Don’t be afraid to post services if you come across any. Anything you contribute will be appreciated, and your user reputation will grow (the green dots under your name.)

Note:

ALL PLAYS POSTED ARE UNCONFIRMED UNLESS YOU BUY THEM YOURSELF. THERE IS BAD INFO PASSED AROUND FROM TIME TO TIME, SO PLAY AT YOUR OWN RISK

[timbob]

Arthur Ralph Sports

674- 509 57 % Run over 3 YEARS

Free one TUES Under 8 1/2 All Star Game Under the total

[timbob]

MLB All-Star Game: What Bettors Need To Know
By Colin Kelly



American League at National League (-130, 8.5)

PILING UP PITCHERS

The All-Star Game rosters tend to feature a sea of pitchers, with the starter the only one guaranteed much time on the mound – perhaps three innings or so – and the American League and National League managers shuffling in pitchers throughout the rest of the game.

With several pitchers declared ineligible because they started Sunday games, Jered Weaver has been told by AL manager Ron Washington that he’ll get the ball first – something he’s pretty happy about.

“It’s very exciting,” Weaver told The Associated Press. “Never in my life would I think that I’d even be in an All-Star Game, let alone starting.”

Weaver’s stats are worthy of an All-Star start, as he’s 11-4 with a 1.86 ERA. The Angels have won in six of his last nine starts, and even in the games they’ve lost, he’s been sterling, going 5-0 with four no-decisions. He threw nine innings in a 1-0, 10-inning loss at Minnesota, and last Thursday, he threw a six-hit complete game in a 5-1 home win over the Mariners.

In the nine-game stretch, he’s yielded 10 runs in 70.2 innings – an ERA of just 1.27.

The Phillies’ Roy Halladay will toe the slab first for the NL – and he hasn’t lost a game in nearly two months. The reigning Cy Young Award winner is 11-3 with a 2.45 ERA, and Philadelphia has won 10 straight behind the veteran right-hander. In that span, Halladay is 6-0 and has gone seven or more innings nine times, including back-to-back complete games in a 3-1 win over Oakland and a 5-3 victory at Toronto.

NL manager Bruce Bochy had no problem tapping Halladay to start, rather than his own stud, Giants ace Tim Lincecum, who is having a so-so year thus far.

“When you talk about the best, this guy is always at the top,” Bochy told MLB.com. “It’s been like this the last few years. So I’m really looking forward to seeing him start this game, and I’m excited that I could name him the starter.”

It probably wasn’t too tough a call. Lincecum, despite a 3.06 ERA, is just 7-7 this season. Among the other hurlers Bochy has to choose from Tuesday night are: red-hot Braves ace Jair Jurrjens, who is 12-3 with a minuscule 1.87 ERA; Phils starter Cliff Lee (9-6, 2.82); Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw (9-4, 3.03); and two more of Bochy’s own from San Francisco in Ryan Vogelsong (6-1, 2.17 ERA) and bearded closer Brian Wilson (6-2, 3.14), who has 26 saves this year but has also blown four saves.

Washington, skipper of the Texas Rangers, has some sturdy throwers behind Weaver, including: Boston’s Josh Beckett (8-3, 2.27); Texas’ Alexi Ogando (9-3, 2.92); Cleveland’s Chris Perez, who has 21 saves in 22 chances; and Detroit’s Jose Valverde, who is perfect in 24 save chances this year.

STARS GONE MISSING

This year’s contest is looking like it might be remembered more for who’s not playing than who is, after a wave of players dropped out over the past few days. At the top of that list is Yankees third baseman and perennial All-Star Alex Rodriguez, who had to bow out due to a torn meniscus in his right knee.

An MRI on Friday revealed Rodriguez’s injury, and Yankees manager Joe Girardi made it public on Saturday. Now the word is that A-Rod will have surgery and will miss four to six weeks.

Rodriguez is one of 16 All-Stars who won’t appear in the game; several of those are out due to injury, though some are pitchers who started this past Sunday and wouldn’t be available to throw Tuesday. Fellow Yankee CC Sabathia falls into that category; he wasn’t on the rosters announced last week, but when Tampa Bay’s James Shields started Sunday, Sabathia replaced Shields on the roster – even though CC started on Sunday, as well, thereby eliminating him from pitching in the All-Star Game.

But Sabathia isn’t too upset about missing out on joining several fellow Pinstripers in Phoenix.

“I’ve seen these guys every day since February,” Sabathia told The Associated Press. “I’ll see them on Thursday.”

Other pitchers missing due to Sunday starts include Tampa Bay’s James Shields, Detroit’s Justin Verlander, Seattle’s Felix Hernandez and Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels.

The Yanks’ Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera are also sitting out, with Jeter opting to rest an injured calf and Rivera nursing a sore right triceps. Among other notables who won’t play are the Mets’ Jose Reyes (disabled list, hamstring) and the Rays’ David Price (turf toe).

ALL-STAR TRENDS

The American League has absolutely owned this game in recent years, even though the National League mustered a 3-1 victory last year at Angel Stadium. Prior to that, the AL had won 12 of 13 dating to 1997, and the only one the junior circuit didn’t claim was the dreaded 7-7 tie in 2002 at Milwaukee’s Miller Park.

Taking things back to 1983, when the game was played at the old Comiskey Park in Chicago, the AL All-Stars have gone 20-7-1. Also in that stretch, the NL All-Stars have won two or more in a row just two times – in 1984-85, and a three-game run from 1994-96.

The NL hasn’t even had any luck in “home” ballparks over the past 13 years. An NL city has hosted seven games in that stretch, but the senior circuit doesn’t have a single win to show for it, going 0-6-1. Perhaps the Diamondbacks’ home stadium, hosting for the first time, can help break that slide.

Total bettors should know that the All-Star Game has lacked big-time run production over the past few years. The under is 3-0 in since the 2008 All-Star Game and there has been seven or fewer runs scored in each of those exhibitions. Oddsmakers have the over/under number set at 8.5 for Tuesday’s game.

[timbob]

MLB All-Star Game: What Bettors Need To Know
By Colin Kelly



American League at National League (-130, 8.5)

PILING UP PITCHERS

The All-Star Game rosters tend to feature a sea of pitchers, with the starter the only one guaranteed much time on the mound – perhaps three innings or so – and the American League and National League managers shuffling in pitchers throughout the rest of the game.

With several pitchers declared ineligible because they started Sunday games, Jered Weaver has been told by AL manager Ron Washington that he’ll get the ball first – something he’s pretty happy about.

“It’s very exciting,” Weaver told The Associated Press. “Never in my life would I think that I’d even be in an All-Star Game, let alone starting.”

Weaver’s stats are worthy of an All-Star start, as he’s 11-4 with a 1.86 ERA. The Angels have won in six of his last nine starts, and even in the games they’ve lost, he’s been sterling, going 5-0 with four no-decisions. He threw nine innings in a 1-0, 10-inning loss at Minnesota, and last Thursday, he threw a six-hit complete game in a 5-1 home win over the Mariners.

In the nine-game stretch, he’s yielded 10 runs in 70.2 innings – an ERA of just 1.27.

The Phillies’ Roy Halladay will toe the slab first for the NL – and he hasn’t lost a game in nearly two months. The reigning Cy Young Award winner is 11-3 with a 2.45 ERA, and Philadelphia has won 10 straight behind the veteran right-hander. In that span, Halladay is 6-0 and has gone seven or more innings nine times, including back-to-back complete games in a 3-1 win over Oakland and a 5-3 victory at Toronto.

NL manager Bruce Bochy had no problem tapping Halladay to start, rather than his own stud, Giants ace Tim Lincecum, who is having a so-so year thus far.

“When you talk about the best, this guy is always at the top,” Bochy told MLB.com. “It’s been like this the last few years. So I’m really looking forward to seeing him start this game, and I’m excited that I could name him the starter.”

It probably wasn’t too tough a call. Lincecum, despite a 3.06 ERA, is just 7-7 this season. Among the other hurlers Bochy has to choose from Tuesday night are: red-hot Braves ace Jair Jurrjens, who is 12-3 with a minuscule 1.87 ERA; Phils starter Cliff Lee (9-6, 2.82); Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw (9-4, 3.03); and two more of Bochy’s own from San Francisco in Ryan Vogelsong (6-1, 2.17 ERA) and bearded closer Brian Wilson (6-2, 3.14), who has 26 saves this year but has also blown four saves.

Washington, skipper of the Texas Rangers, has some sturdy throwers behind Weaver, including: Boston’s Josh Beckett (8-3, 2.27); Texas’ Alexi Ogando (9-3, 2.92); Cleveland’s Chris Perez, who has 21 saves in 22 chances; and Detroit’s Jose Valverde, who is perfect in 24 save chances this year.

STARS GONE MISSING

This year’s contest is looking like it might be remembered more for who’s not playing than who is, after a wave of players dropped out over the past few days. At the top of that list is Yankees third baseman and perennial All-Star Alex Rodriguez, who had to bow out due to a torn meniscus in his right knee.

An MRI on Friday revealed Rodriguez’s injury, and Yankees manager Joe Girardi made it public on Saturday. Now the word is that A-Rod will have surgery and will miss four to six weeks.

Rodriguez is one of 16 All-Stars who won’t appear in the game; several of those are out due to injury, though some are pitchers who started this past Sunday and wouldn’t be available to throw Tuesday. Fellow Yankee CC Sabathia falls into that category; he wasn’t on the rosters announced last week, but when Tampa Bay’s James Shields started Sunday, Sabathia replaced Shields on the roster – even though CC started on Sunday, as well, thereby eliminating him from pitching in the All-Star Game.

But Sabathia isn’t too upset about missing out on joining several fellow Pinstripers in Phoenix.

“I’ve seen these guys every day since February,” Sabathia told The Associated Press. “I’ll see them on Thursday.”

Other pitchers missing due to Sunday starts include Tampa Bay’s James Shields, Detroit’s Justin Verlander, Seattle’s Felix Hernandez and Philadelphia’s Cole Hamels.

The Yanks’ Derek Jeter and Mariano Rivera are also sitting out, with Jeter opting to rest an injured calf and Rivera nursing a sore right triceps. Among other notables who won’t play are the Mets’ Jose Reyes (disabled list, hamstring) and the Rays’ David Price (turf toe).

ALL-STAR TRENDS

The American League has absolutely owned this game in recent years, even though the National League mustered a 3-1 victory last year at Angel Stadium. Prior to that, the AL had won 12 of 13 dating to 1997, and the only one the junior circuit didn’t claim was the dreaded 7-7 tie in 2002 at Milwaukee’s Miller Park.

Taking things back to 1983, when the game was played at the old Comiskey Park in Chicago, the AL All-Stars have gone 20-7-1. Also in that stretch, the NL All-Stars have won two or more in a row just two times – in 1984-85, and a three-game run from 1994-96.

The NL hasn’t even had any luck in “home” ballparks over the past 13 years. An NL city has hosted seven games in that stretch, but the senior circuit doesn’t have a single win to show for it, going 0-6-1. Perhaps the Diamondbacks’ home stadium, hosting for the first time, can help break that slide.

Total bettors should know that the All-Star Game has lacked big-time run production over the past few years. The under is 3-0 in since the 2008 All-Star Game and there has been seven or fewer runs scored in each of those exhibitions. Oddsmakers have the over/under number set at 8.5 for Tuesday’s game.

[timbob]

BANG THE BOOK

Tuesday's Best ALL STAR GAME Bet

American League at National League (-130, 8.5)

The ‘Boys of Summer’ take a break from regular season action early next week as the top players from both the National League and the American League clash in the 82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game this upcoming Tuesday, July 12. This year’s Midsummer Classic will be played at Chase Field in Phoenix starting at 8 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on FOX.

The All-Star festivities kick-off on Sunday with the XM All-Star Futures Game and the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Game, but the most anticipated event besides the game itself is the State Farm Home Run Derby, which takes place on Monday night.

In a bit of a twist this season, the NL Captain, Prince Fielder and the AL Captain David Ortiz were allowed to hand-pick the rest of the participants for each league. Fielder selected his Milwaukee teammate Rickie Weeks along with St. Louis slugger Matt Holliday and the LA Dodgers Matt Kemp. Boston’s Ortiz also pulled a homer move by selecting Red Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez, followed by Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays and Yankee 2B Robinson Cano. Fielder earned NL Captain Honors by virtue of winning this event in 2009 and Ortiz earned his captain status with a win in last year’s derby.

The early prop line mlb odds to win the Home Run Derby have yet to be released, but you would have to think that Bautista would be logical favorite given that he currently leads the Majors with 28 home runs. Another guy to watch in this event could be Matt Kemp, especially if his odds are long. This will be his first appearance in the Derby, but he comes in good form with 22 homers on the year.

As for the All-Star Game itself, it has taken on much more meaning over the past several seasons as whichever league wins the game also secures home field advantage in the World Series. The National League roster features last year’s Cy Young winner Roy Halladay, who will most likely be the starting pitcher since his last regular start before the break is this Friday. Given that his Philadelphia Phillies currently have the best record in the Majors, he will do everything in his power to get this game off to a good start for the NL.

The American League will most likely go with Boston’s Josh Beckett, who will going on four days rest as well. His team is right in the thick of the AL East Division race, but still the odds-on-favorite to win the American League this season, so the added incentive is there for him as well.

The National League’s 3-1 victory last season, was the first time it had won this game since the infamous 7-7 tie in 2002, which prompted the rule change concerning World Series home field advantage in the first place. The AL’s string of consecutive wins in this game actually extends all the way back to 1997 as the NL is a woeful 2-17-2 in the last 20 All-Star games played.

Despite this overwhelming advantage for the AL, do not expect the opening moneyline to be heavily in its favor. The line on this game tends to remain fairly close as the margin of victory has been two runs or less the last six years. The best bet if you want to make a play remains which ever league is the underdog, which will most likely be the National League, given the overall level of talent on each side.

PICK: National League

[timbob]

BANG THE BOOK

Tuesday's Best ALL STAR GAME Bet

American League at National League (-130, 8.5)

The ‘Boys of Summer’ take a break from regular season action early next week as the top players from both the National League and the American League clash in the 82nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game this upcoming Tuesday, July 12. This year’s Midsummer Classic will be played at Chase Field in Phoenix starting at 8 p.m. (ET) and the game will be broadcast nationally on FOX.

The All-Star festivities kick-off on Sunday with the XM All-Star Futures Game and the Taco Bell All-Star Legends & Celebrity Game, but the most anticipated event besides the game itself is the State Farm Home Run Derby, which takes place on Monday night.

In a bit of a twist this season, the NL Captain, Prince Fielder and the AL Captain David Ortiz were allowed to hand-pick the rest of the participants for each league. Fielder selected his Milwaukee teammate Rickie Weeks along with St. Louis slugger Matt Holliday and the LA Dodgers Matt Kemp. Boston’s Ortiz also pulled a homer move by selecting Red Sox 1B Adrian Gonzalez, followed by Jose Bautista of the Toronto Blue Jays and Yankee 2B Robinson Cano. Fielder earned NL Captain Honors by virtue of winning this event in 2009 and Ortiz earned his captain status with a win in last year’s derby.

The early prop line mlb odds to win the Home Run Derby have yet to be released, but you would have to think that Bautista would be logical favorite given that he currently leads the Majors with 28 home runs. Another guy to watch in this event could be Matt Kemp, especially if his odds are long. This will be his first appearance in the Derby, but he comes in good form with 22 homers on the year.

As for the All-Star Game itself, it has taken on much more meaning over the past several seasons as whichever league wins the game also secures home field advantage in the World Series. The National League roster features last year’s Cy Young winner Roy Halladay, who will most likely be the starting pitcher since his last regular start before the break is this Friday. Given that his Philadelphia Phillies currently have the best record in the Majors, he will do everything in his power to get this game off to a good start for the NL.

The American League will most likely go with Boston’s Josh Beckett, who will going on four days rest as well. His team is right in the thick of the AL East Division race, but still the odds-on-favorite to win the American League this season, so the added incentive is there for him as well.

The National League’s 3-1 victory last season, was the first time it had won this game since the infamous 7-7 tie in 2002, which prompted the rule change concerning World Series home field advantage in the first place. The AL’s string of consecutive wins in this game actually extends all the way back to 1997 as the NL is a woeful 2-17-2 in the last 20 All-Star games played.

Despite this overwhelming advantage for the AL, do not expect the opening moneyline to be heavily in its favor. The line on this game tends to remain fairly close as the margin of victory has been two runs or less the last six years. The best bet if you want to make a play remains which ever league is the underdog, which will most likely be the National League, given the overall level of talent on each side.

PICK: National League

[timbob]

LADY LUCK

Tuesday's Best WNBA Bets

Washington Mystics at Seattle Storm (-10, 145)

After putting up its worst offensive display of the season, the Washington Mystics need to get it together in a hurry.

Seattle is coming off an impressive 99-80 victory over Los Angeles. Swim Cash led the charge with 26 points and Tanisha Wright added 21 as the Storm ran away with the game in the second half. It was a big win that might finally help the club snap its inconsistent streak.

"Once you get that penetration, then you don't have as much pressure on the outside. You're able to penetrate and kick and those are shots that we practice every day in practice," Cash said. "It was good to see Katie (Smith) knocking down some shots, T (Wright) getting to the paint and being aggressive. We need that. Hopefully this was the start and we're going to get off this roller coaster and have another good performance on Tuesday."

There’s no reason to think Washington will get things going – especially with Crystal Langhorne questionable with a back injury – but then again, it’s hard to trust the Storm.

PICK: Over


Los Angeles Sparks at San Antonio Silver Stars (-8.5, 160.5)

The Los Angeles Sparks begin a new era Tuesday night with Kobe Bryant’s father, Joe “Jellybean” Bryant making his first appearance as the club’s head coach after Jennifer Gallom was fired Sunday.

Meanwhile, the Silver Stars are also looking to get things turned around as they’ve lost back-to-back games for the first time this season –both against the New York Liberty.

Becky Hammon helped San Antonio stay in the game with 18 points, but was also just 3-of-6 from the charity stripe in the club’s 76-73 loss as a 5.5-point favorite.

"I can't remember the last time I shot free throws like that," Hammon told reporters. "This loss hurts because we should have had that one."

The Silver Stars always have problems with the Liberty, but should bounce back here against the Sparks.

PICK: San Antonio

[timbob]

WNBA Basketball Picks
Los Angeles at San Antonio

The Sparks look to take advantage of a San Antonio team that is 1-4 ATS in its last 5 Tuesday games. Los Angeles is the pick (+7 1/2) according to Dunkel, which has the Silver Stars favored by only 5. Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+7 1/2). Here are all of today's picks.

TUESDAY, JULY 12
Time Posted: 6:30 a.m. EST

Game 601-602: Washington at Seattle (3:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Washington 106.309; Seattle 115.243
Dunkel Line & Total: Seattle by 9; 141
Vegas Line & Total: Seattle by 10; 144
Dunkel Pick: Washington (+10); Under

Game 603-604: Los Angeles at San Antonio (8:05 p.m. EST)
Dunkel Ratings: Los Angeles 110.228; San Antonio 115.311
Dunkel Line & Total: San Antonio by 5; 164
Vegas Line & Total: San Antonio by 7 1/2; 160 1/2
Dunkel Pick: Los Angeles (+7 1/2); Over

[timbob]

Tuesday's Betting Tips: Bettors Backing AL

Who's Hot

WNBA: The over is 7-1 in Washington’s last eight games in Seattle.

WNBA: San Antonio is 7-3 against the spread this season and has covered each of its last three matchups against Los Angeles.

Who’s Not

WNBA: Washington is just 1-7 against the spread in its last eight games overall.

WNBA: Los Angeles has covered only once over its last six games.

Key Stat

+220 – Chile and Peru meet Tuesday in Copa America play and oddsmakers have the draw set at +220 with both sides already assured advancement out of the group stage.

Injury That Shouldn’t Be Overlooked

Crystal Langhorne, Washington Mystics – Washington’s top scorer is considered questionable for Tuesday’s game with a back injury. Langhorne is putting up better than 18 points and eight rebounds per game. The Mystics are set as 9.5-point underdogs at Seattle.

Game Of The Day

American League at National League (-115, 8.5)

Notable Quotable

"It's very important. You saw it last year. It's a very important component in helping to win a world championship. So, I think it's a great thing for the best players in the world to go out there and compete and work for that home-field advantage." - Jered Weaver about the importance of starting for the American League Tuesday night with home-field advantage in the World Series on the line.

Tips And Notes

Right now about 56 percent of Covers.com Consensus bettors are backing the American League in Tuesday’s All-Star Game. Most books currently have the AL set as a +105 underdog.

The days of high-scoring MLB All-Star games seem to be a thing of the past. The under has cashed in on each of the last three Midsummer Classics with seven or fewer runs being scored in each of those matchups dating back to 2008. Chase Field’s retractable roof is expected to be closed during the game to combat hot temperatures.

Everyone is ripping on Brazil and Argentina for their slow starts at Copa America, but what about Uruguay? Uruguay, which played in the World Cup semifinals a year ago, faces a must-win situation Tuesday against Mexico without two key starters – Martin Caceres (suspension) and Edinson Cavani (injury). The good news for Uruguay supporters is that the club faces a second-string Mexico side that has yet to pick up a point in the tournament. Uruguay is set as a -250 favorite with the draw at +280 and Mexico at +590.

[timbob]

Hondo

Hondo's plunge into the wild and wonderful world of horse racing yielded mixed results yesterday. He lost with Feliciti Dancer in the 7th at Parx and with his Feliciti Dancer-Ladder to the Moon exacta box. However, those losses were more than offset when Debbie Little, the Queen of the Catskills, came through with Blue Creek Angie at Monticello in the 12th, and Harness Racing's Guru To The Stars Bill Smith scored at Yonkers with Western Dakota in the 11th. Of course, those winnings were negated when Prince Fielder and Matt Kemp showed only a dollop of wallop in the Home Run Derby.

According to the calculations of CP Addemup, Mr. Aitch's longtime accountant, after all that action, the deficit grew only slightly to 1,695 millers.

Today, as per the wise counsel of none other than Anthony Affrunti, aka the Post's Puny Pony Picker, Mr. Aitch will play the following at Parx: a one-unit exacta box in the 5th with Famous Rose, Sweet Clarice and Honor's Selection; a one-unit exacta box in the 6th with Comet of Love, Dubai's Connection and Chiefette; and 10 units to win on Elidefeatspeyton in the 7th and a two-unit exacta box with Elidefeatspeyton and Sticky Cactus.

Tonight, Mr. Aitch, as usual, will buy American with a 10-unit play on the Junior Circuit to reestablish its superiority.

[timbob]

Soccer Crusher
Play of the Day:
Nautico + Americana OVER 2.5
This match is happening in Brazil

[timbob]

Ultimate All-Star Opinion

Under

[timbob]

FANTASY SPORTS GAMETIME

MLB All-Star Game
Play American League (+105) over National League (TOP PLAY)

[timbob]

CAPPERS ACCESS
National League RL

[timbob]

COMPS

Nick Parsons

American League @ National League
PICK: National League

For a number of different reasons I believe the value in this contest is on the National League:

In the AL: Starting pitchers Justin Verlander, James Shields, Felix Hernandez and David Price, closer Mariano Rivera, shortstop Derek Jeter and third baseman Alex Rodriguez are all out.

That means that starters Alexi Ogando, Michael Pineda and Ricky Romero, relievers David Robertson and Jordan Walden, shortstop Jhonny Peralta and third baseman Kevin Youkilis are all in.

(CC Sabathia and Jon Lester are also out).

Players are dropping out every other hour it seems, but for now, here are the Starters and Reserves for both sides:

American League

Starters: Alex Avila; Adrian Gonzalez; Robinson Cano; Adrian Beltre; Asdrubal Cabrera; Jose Bautista; Curtis Granderson; Josh Hamilton; David Ortiz; Ron Washington.

Reserves: Russell Martin; Felix Hernandez; Matt Wiesters, Brandon League; Miguel Cabrera; Jon Lester; Paul Konerko; Alexi Ogando; Howard Kendrick; Chris Perez; Kevin Youkilis; Michael Pineda; Alex Rodriguez; David Price; Derek Jeter; David Robertson; Jhonny Peralta; Ricky Romero; Michael Cuddyer; Mariano Rivera; Jacoby Ellisbury; CC Sabathia; Matt Joyce; James Shiels; Carlos Quentin; Jose Valverde; Michael Young; Justin Verlander; Josh Beckett; Jordan Walden; Aaron Crow; Jered Weaver; Gio Gonzalez; CJ Wilson.

National League

Starters: Brian McCann; Prince Fielder; Rickie Weeks; Scott Rolen; Troy Tulowitzki; Ryan Braun; Lance Berkman; Matt Kemp; Bruce Bochy.

Reserves: Yadier Molina; Andre Ethier; Miguel Montero; Heath Bell; Gaby Sanchez; Matt Cain; Joey Votto; Tyler Clippard; Brandon Phillips; Kevin Correia; Jose Reyes; Roy Halladay; Placido Polanco; Cole Hamels; Pablo Sandoval; Joel Hanrahan; Chipper Jones; Jair Jurrjens; Starlin Castro; Clayton Kershaw; Carlos Beltran; Craig Kimbrel; Jay Bruce; Cliff Lee; Matt Holliday, Tim Lincecum; Hunter Pence; Jonny Venters; Andrew McCutchen; Ryan Volgelsong; Justin Upton; Brian Wilson; Shane Victorino.

2011 MVP ASG MVP - Odds To Win

Adrian Beltre +2000
Adrian Gonzalez +1200
Alex Avila +2000
Andrew McCutchen +3000
Asdrubal Cabrera +1500
Brian McCann +1500
Curtis Granderson +1500
Howie Kendrick +2500
Hunter Pence +2500
Jacoby Ellsbury +2000
Jay Bruce +2000
Jhonny Peralta +2000
Joey Votto +1500
Jose Bautista +1000
Josh Hamilton +1200
Justin Upton +1200
Kevin Youkilis +1500
Lance Berkman +1500
Matt Holliday +2000
Matt Kemp +1500
Miguel Cabrera +1500
Prince Fielder +1200
Robinson Cano +1500
Troy Tulowitzki +1500
Field +300

Bottom line: Unlike the NBA, NHL and NFL All-Star Games, there is of course something to play for with MLB's; home-field advantage in the World Series is on the line for the winner of the Midsummer Classic; however, I always believe that wagers on All-Star Games should be "fun" ones, and not taken too seriously (*this is a 1 unit play for me while my premium plays range from 5-10).

So with that in mind, I'm going to suggest a play on the National League as I feel its starting rotation is much stronger; good luck and happy wagering everybody!


Jordan Haimowitz

American League vs. National League
Play: Over 8½

For this years All-Star game we will be playing the OVER 8.5 Runs with an underdog vig of +104.

Considering this season so far has been a pitching dominant league, looking at both lineups each league has the right mix of players to hit for power and to manufacture runs. Main note, the relief pitchers with the exception of 3-4 starters are not as strong as usual.

Expect Jered Weaver of the Angels to struggle as the starter of the AL.

4-4 tie and we got ourselves a winner. That is what I expect.

Play on the OVER 8.5 Runs