All Star Game Preview: Home Run Derby Review

I have to admit I am disappointed by two things last night:

1. Joe Mauer was my sleeper pick…that didn’t work out too well

2. Albert Pujols didn’t win, didn’t even make the finals

Now, I didn’t have a clear cut favorite last night but I have an admitted man-crush on Pujols so I would have loved to see him win it, especially at home. But I was really pulling for Mauer, don’t ask me why because I really don’t have a reason…maybe it was just the thought of a hit-for-average guy out slugging the big boys. Either way the 2 guys I was pulling for didn’t come through.

I was extremely impressed with Cruz and Fielder…wow those guys can hit. As soon as Cruz asked for his pitcher to throw it a little harder he started blasting shots that rivaled McGwire’s performance at Fenway in ’99. Prince is a beast and he hit some shots that I still can’t believe, when he gets into a ball he really gets into it. 503 feet is all I have to say. I hate to dwell on the Pujols thing but…if he told his pitcher to throw it probably 7-12 mph faster, he would have won it all.

To wrap up the preface to the All-Star Game Preview I have to say I enjoyed last night’s Derby, even though there were no Hamilton esque performances or towering numbers put up (in terms of homers) there were plenty of moonshots hit that made me and every fan stand up and yell as soon as they came off the bat.

Overall Grade: B+ Not the best I have ever seen but not the worst. Brandon Inge being in it drops the grade, I can’t believe another AL hitter wouldn’t enter it. The Cruz, Fielder extravaganza is the only saving grace for the event even though the Celebrity All-Star Game was a pleasure to watch too.

It’s tough to really say who has the better team when you are breaking down the line-ups for the All-Star game. After all, these players are the cream of the crop for their respective leagues. I am going to be ridiculously tedious with the lineups but don’t worry I won’t do the same for the benches.

1. Ichrio vs Hanley: For traditional “lead-off” hitters the AL has the advantage here. Both players are incredibly skilled batters who have game changing ability when they are in the box, one with his speed and at-bat presence the other with power. However, you have to give the edge to Ichiro he has more patience at the plate and will wait for lincecum to come to him in deeper counts, plus he knows how to be a lead-off hitter and the importance of having the first batter of the inning on base.

2. Jeter vs. Utley: As you all know I am a die-hard Yankee fan and you will probably think my opinion of these hitters is skewed but I am giving the edge to Utley here. I love Jeter and his ability at the plate but Utley is a machine, although he is prone to the strike-out, he drives the ball deep to all fields. He has the speed advantage and more game-changing ability than Jeter plus he will see more pitches to drive with Pujols batting behind him.

3. Mauer vs. Pujols: Mauer is right up there with the best hit-for-average players in the bigs, but then again so is Pujols. Pujols is the best player in the game right now plus he is at home and probably wants revenge after his lackluster performance in the derby, sorry Mauer, your great but Pujols is better.

4. Teixeira vs. Braun: Great match-up here. I have to give the advantage to Teixeira though, he has more patience at the plate and knows situational hitting better than Braun. Braun is a great hitter but strikes out a lot, Teixeira will draw more walks plus he is batting lefty against a righty, a luxury that Braun doesn’t have.

5. Bay vs. Ibanez: This is where the line-ups start to get interesting. Bay is batting way below Ibanez (in terms of average) but has better power numbers than him, tough to argue because of Ibanez’s injury though. I have to give the advantage to Ibanez here, lefty against a righty plus he is so locked in right now. And with Hamilton and his struggles batting behind Bay, Jason may see some pitches that don’t come near the plate, same can be said with Wright batting behind Ibanez, although Wright is only struggling in the power department.

6. Hamilton vs. Wright: Hmmmmm…this is very intriguing. Although I love Hamilton and his power I have to, and I hate to do it, give the advantage to Wright. Even though his power numbers are down he is on fire at bat and isn’t battling back from injury like Hamilton is. Both hitters strike out from time to time but Hamilton hasn’t hit his stride yet and Wright is among the league leaders in average, hate to say it but advantage Wright.

7. Longoria vs. Victorino: I am not trying to take away from Victorino and his abilities but he isn’t really supposed to be in the starting lineup, I know it was voted on but he doesn’t compare to Longoria. Victorino is a scrappy hitter that can be a nuisance once on base, but he has to get there first. Longoria is one of the best hitters in the game and can take any pitch out of the park. The only advantage that Victorino has in this matchup is that he is a switch hitter, but that won’t mean anything during the course of the game. You can’t deny how great Longoria is and how dangerous he is at-bat, Victorino doesn’t scare anyone when he is in the box…except maybe CC Sabathia.

8. Hill vs. Molina: Well the Molina brothers aren’t really in the game for the offensive prowess, except for Bengie and that is debatable. So the advantage easily goes to Hill here, I know Molina is having a good year at the plate but nothing near what Hill has done. Neither batters are feared by any stretch of the imagination but at least Hill can run down the base paths and make a ground ball interesting. Hill gets the advantage by a landslide.

9. Lincecum vs. Halladay: Lincecum gets the advantage, both probably won’t bat in this game making this position in the batting order useless but hey it’s still fun to talk about. Halladay hates hitting so if he does bat don’t expect him to swing, therefore Lincecum gets the advantage any way.

Starting Pitchers: Lincecum vs. Halladay: Probably the match-up everyone wanted. Both are electric pitchers who are fun to watch and must be devastating to try to hit, which means more fun for the viewers. I will keep this short and sweet, I think the advantage goes to Halladay. Halladay has been here before and he is one of the best if not, the best pitcher in the MLB right now, plus he has seen most of these guys at least once over his career. He knows when and how to throw pitches in certain situations and can get a strikeout when necessary. Don’t get me wrong I love Lincecum and think he is amazing but I have to take the vet in this one, he won’t be nervous about getting the start and he might be auditioning for his new ball club and fans when he takes the mound.

Reserves: Both are pretty evenly matched except that the AL definitely has less power on the bench but a whole lot more speed and guys who can get on base and cause havoc. The NL has tons of power, they probably have more power in their 3 back up 1st basemen (Howard, Fielder, Gonzalez) than the AL has on their whole bench. After carefully studying the reserves I have to give the advantage to the AL, and this is not just because I want them to win, I will assure you of that. They may lack traditional power but don’t be fooled they have guys who can put the ball out, but what really sells me is the amount of hitters they have that hit for average. Many of these guys are contact hitters who will get the ball in play and make the NL defenders get rid of the ball quickly. The NL lacks speed and power doesn’t always win, the AL has a deeper set of reserves and also many role players who can be shifted around if necessary. If it comes down to a battle of the benches, and the AL pitchers can keep the power bats guessing, I believe the AL has the distinct advantage in this game.

Bullpen: Haren and Santana…that’s all I really have to say. Both of these guys have had success in both leagues and will be coming out of the bullpen tonight in relief of Lincecum. If the NL can pitch to their ability and keep the AL bats at bay they win. If this game becomes a pitching contest, which it rarely does, I don’t see the AL keeping up with the shear dominance of the NL pitchers. Haren and Santana out of the bullpen that’s really scary and that’s what gives the NL the edge here.

ASG Winner: Shouldn’t be a surprise but I am picking the AL. The NL wants a win badly this year but the AL has too much depth off the bench and guys that are role players. I really don’t see the NL winning this one unless they jump out to a decent lead early on in the game.

AL MVP: Justin Morneau:Power hitter than has long ball ability but can also shoot a double down the line or in the gap to drive in 1 or 2 runs. With him coming off the bench after they take out Teixeira he is a huge asset and a great candidate for the AL MVP.

NL MVP: Ryan Howard:Charlie Manuel knows how to use this guy and when to put him in at the perfect situation. If the NL is losing early and continue to in the 8th or 9th inning expect Manuel to save him for that opportunity especially if Mo comes in for a save or to keep the game tied. Howard’s long ball ability to both fields and clutch hitting make him an ideal candidate for the NL MVP.

Hope you enjoyed it!