2011 MLB All-Star Game Preview – Midsummer Classic (7:00 pm CT)

Tonight, the 82nd MLB All-Star Game will take place in Phoenix at Chase Field as the National League are favored by most online sportsbooks to take the American League for a second straight year after taking the win last year 3-1. (But, hey, my money is on the American League.)

I must say that I am unhappy that my favorite Ranger – Ian Kinsler – will not be participating, but hey, what can I do about it, right? Further, I can’t say that the All-Star game consists of all the best players in each league, but that can’t be changed as the fans have spoken.

However, I am thoroughly thrilled that Alexi Ogando became a 2011 All-Star at the last minute because it is something that he fully deserves in my opinion. I just hope he gets a chance to show himself on the mound – as well as C. J. Wilson. In addition, I absolutely despise Alex Rodriguez – and any other New York Yankee for that matter – so I’m happy that Adrian Beltre is seeing a start at third base. I think Beltre has proven successful this year for the Rangers at third base and his ability with his glove could come in handy tonight. I’m also hoping to see Michael Young at the plate at some point in time before the end of the night.

Here is a look at the starting lineups for both leagues:

American League

OF – Curtis Granderson (New York Yankees)
SS – Asdrubal Cabrera (Cleveland Indians)
1B – Adrian Gonzalez (Boston Red Sox)
OF – Jose Bautista (Toronto Blue Jays)
OF – Josh Hamilton (Texas Rangers)
3B – Adrian Beltre (Texas Rangers)
DH – David Ortiz (Boston Red Sox)
2B – Robinson Cano (New York Yankees)
C – Alex Avila (Detroit Tigers)

National League

2B – Rickie Weeks (Milwaukee Brewers)
DH – Carlos Beltran (New York Mets)
OF – Matt Kemp (Los Angeles Dodgers)
1B – Prince Fielder (Milwaukee Brewers)
C – Brian McCann (Atlanta Braves)
OF – Lance Berkman (St. Louis Cardinals)
OF – Matt Holliday (St. Louis Cardinals)
SS – Troy Tulowitzki (Colorado Rockies)
3B – Scott Rolen (Cincinnati Reds)

For some fantastic state information on the American League and National League All-Stars, visit ESPN’s Stat Shots.

Pitching Matchups

Jered Weaver is 11-4 with a 1.86 ERA. Against the National league, Weaver has permitted only 34 runs on 107 hits over 117.1 innings while posting a 2.53 ERA. He has been solid against the NL as well as all hitters that have met him. His team has won all 10 of his previous starts and while he will nto have the same team behind him on the mound for defensive support on at the plate for run support, he does have a strong team behind him.

Roy Halladay is 11-3 with a 2.45 ERA. Against the American League, Halladay has allowed 27 runs on 81 over 118.1 innings while posting a 1.98 ERA. The Phillies have won six of the previous 10 starts of Halladay’s and he has won four of his previous five. In his previous five starts, he has allowed no more than one run per game. Looking at his previous 10 starts, he’s allowed two or three runs in only three of those. He has been solid and will look to continue that with a solid team behind him.

The game starts at 7:00 pm CT and will be broadcast on FOX nationally.