Pujols, Wright Head Predicted N.L. All-Stars
Stan McNeal - SportingNews.com
Jun 30, 2009
Give the fans their props. In the latest voting for National League All-Star starters, they have the right player at each of the eight positions. With less than three days left before voting ends Thursday night, there isn't much time to mess up.
Selecting the starting lineup is the easy part. Picking the remaining 24 players is more challenging (players pick a backup at every position, five starting pitchers and three relievers. N.L. manager Charlie Manuel then oversees managers' selections for seven spots, and the final spot is determined in an online vote featuring five players chosen by the commissioner's office).
When considering reserves, don't forget that every club has to be represented, including ones that don't deserve to be (the Cubs, for example). Three catchers are needed in case of extra innings. And even with 32 players on the roster, someone will be snubbed.
If you want a peak at the N.L. team that will be announced Sunday afternoon on TBS, read on. I will do better than the fans and nail not only the starting lineup but every selection on the team. Well, give or take a starting pitcher or outfielder or two.
FIRST BASE
Starter: Albert Pujols. Even at the league's deepest position, he is a no-brainer.
Reserves
Adrian Gonzalez, Padres. For the second consecutive season, he could be San Diego's lone representative.
Prince Fielder, Brewers. He is having a great season (.304, 19 homers, 73 RBIs) but not as great as Pujols'.
Ryan Howard, Phillies. The game is in his hometown, and his manager has some say about the roster. And it isn't like Howard is undeserving with 20 homers.
Apologies to: Todd Helton, Rockies.
SECOND BASE
Starter: Chase Utley, Phillies. I can't fault the fans for liking Utley, but I wouldn't complain if the Dodgers' Orlando Hudson beats him out. The team with the best record in the majors deserves at least one starter, doesn't it?
Reserves
Orlando Hudson, Dodgers.
Freddy Sanchez, Pirates. He is on the roster because the other Pirate most worthy of consideration, lefthanded starter Zach Duke, has more competition at his position.
SHORTSTOP
Starter: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins. I will be disappointed in the fans if Philadelphia's Jimmy Rollins passes Ramirez this week.
Reserves
Miguel Tejada, Astros. Houston's lone representative is hitting .330.
THIRD BASE
Starter: David Wright, Mets. One of the N.L.'s leading hitters, Wright has a big lead in fans' voting, as he should.
Reserves
Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals. He looked like the starter several weeks ago. Now he'll have to settle for playing backup to his former youth-league teammate.
OUTFIELD
Starters: Raul Ibanez, Phillies; Ryan Braun, Brewers; Carlos Beltran, Mets. Only Braun actually might end up on the roster because of injuries to the others.
Reserves
Brad Hawpe, Rockies; Andre Ethier, Dodgers; Justin Upton, Diamondbacks. All would be first-timers. All, except possibly Hawpe, wouldn't stand a chance if they played in the other league. All might not make it, especially if Manuel goes with 13 pitchers and Ibanez and Beltran are healthy enough to play. Ethier earns the nod over teammate Matt Kemp because of his place in the batting order and his penchant for big hits.
CATCHER
Starter: Yadier Molina, Cardinals. He is the game's best at controlling opponents' running game, and his batting average is second-best among N.L. catchers.
Reserves
Bengie Molina, Giants. He should make it based on this stat alone: He has walked only three times, once intentionally. Seriously, he has twice as many homers as brother Yadier and is hitting cleanup for the N.L. wild-card leaders.
Brian McCann,Braves. His .316 batting average tops N.L. catchers by 39 points.
STARTING PITCHERS
Tim Lincecum and Matt Cain, Giants; Johan Santana, Mets; Dan Haren, Diamondbacks; Josh Johnson, Marlins; Chad Billingsley, Dodgers; Ted Lilly, Cubs. Lincecum is my starter, especially considering the game falls on a day he would be scheduled to start. Lilly wasn't one of the eight Cubs who made the team in 2008, but he could be their only selection this season. And he isn't all that deserving (7-5, 3.41 ERA). Haren leads the league in hard luck and ERA (2.25).
Apologies to: Aaron Cook, Rockies; Johnny Cueto, Reds; Yovani Gallardo, Brewers.
RELIEF PITCHERS
Francisco Rodriguez, Mets; Trevor Hoffman, Brewers; Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers; Francisco Cordero, Reds; Ryan Franklin, Cardinals. Choosing Franklin over teammate Chris Carpenter is a tough call. When healthy, as he is, Carpenter is as good as any pitcher in the league. And because the game "counts," you want him on your side. But Franklin is more deserving of the honor. He leads relievers with a 0.93 ERA to go with 18 saves in 19 chances.
Apologies to: Heath Bell, Padres.
McNeal's N.L. predicted All-Stars
By team (starters in bold)
Phillies: OF Raul Ibanez, 2B Chase Utley, 1B Ryan Howard.
Mets: OF Carlos Beltran, 3B David Wright, SP Johan Santana, RP Francisco Rodriguez.
Braves: C Brian McCann.
Marlins: SS Hanley Ramirez, SP Josh Johnson.
Nationals: 3B Ryan Zimmerman.
Brewers: OF Ryan Braun, 1B Prince Fielder, RP Trevor Hoffman.
Cardinals: 1B Albert Pujols, C Yadier Molina, RP Ryan Franklin.
Cubs: SP Ted Lilly.
Reds: RP Francisco Cordero.
Astros: SS Miguel Tejada.
Pirates: 2B Freddy Sanchez.
Dodgers: 2B Orlando Hudson, OF Andre Ethier, SP Chad Billingsley, RP Jonathan Broxton.
Giants: SP Tim Lincecum, SP Matt Cain, C Bengie Molina.
Rockies: OF Brad Hawpe.
Padres: 1B Adrian Gonzalez.
Diamondbacks: SP Dan Haren, OF Justin Upton.
Stan McNeal is a writer for Sporting News. E-mail him at smcneal@sportingnews.co
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