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markakis8
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- Oct 31, 2008
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I love trying to predict the All-Stars every year. It is difficult b/c you have to factor in blossomed seasons (a la Ludwick last year) and who the fans/players love to vote in even though they suck (a la Varitek).
Right now I'm going to predict the starters and reserves. You should know, obviously, that my predictions for starters are based solely on popularity.
NL
C - Brian McCann - I don't see Yadier or Kendall taking the torch here. McCann will edge out Russ Martin in the long run.
1B - Albert Pujols - No explanation needed.
2B - Chase Utley - See above.
SS - Hanley Ramirez - Too many people know about him now to not be elected to start.
3B - David Wright - I ALMOST went with Zimmerman here b/c of his hot start but as of now, it's too early for him to overcome D-Wright's popularity. If he stays smokin' hot, it is a possibility. I've voted for him at least 10 times.
OF - Ryan Braun - Will be NL OF vote leader
OF - Carlos Beltran - Always a favorite.
OF - Raul Ibanez - this is just a dumb ole gamble right here. Manny won't crack the top three now. Soriano is doing rather well but Ibanez is just SCORCHING hot and he's in the top 6 right now. I see Philly fans and respectable baseball fans pushing him into the top 3. I WILL be wrong if he cools off though.
SP - Johan Santana - I think it is clear who starts for the NL and AL this year.
RESERVES:
C - Ivan Rodriguez - My gut just says he'll be the backup b/c of his history with MLB. Yadier MIGHT make it if they take a third.
1B - Joey Votto - Representing Cincy with the RP listed below.
1B - Adrian Gonzalez - Duh.
2B - Freddy Sanchez - Pittsburgh's lonely rep.
2B - Orlando Hudson - Usually there is an additional SS than 2B but I don't see any SS holding the fort besides Guzman but Zimmerman will be Nationals rep. Hudson gets the nod here.
SS - Yunel Escobar - Yep. You heard it. Even with my prediction for McCann to start I think he gets the reserve spot. I don't see Tejada making it. It is possible Charlie rewards the Nationals for their stellar offense and gives Guzman THE spot or an additional spot here. But remember - the Nationals BLOW.
3B - Ryan Zimmerman - should start and won't. Other players will respect him here.
OF - Brad Hawpe - Lone Rockies rep.
OF - Justin Upton - He's hot.
OF - Hunter Pence - Average may carry him over if he stays above .333 and I think he will.
OF - Alfonso Soriano - Still makes it besides my courage to not predict him as a starter.
OF - Jayson Werth - Don't forget Charlie is the NL manager and I think Jayson improves his .255 AVG to nudge himself in as the "what the hell?" pick.
SP - Chad Billingsley - Struggled as of late but I still think he gets in.
SP - Dan Haren - See above just add a couple more wins.
SP - Tim Lincecum - Might seem like a DUH! But I think he gets nod over Cain who doesn't stay strong...
SP - Javier Vazquez - Don't laugh. With a few more wins he'll be in.
SP - Jake Peavy - Yup. Guy is on fire right now.
SP - Adam Wainright - The fact it is played in STL gives him the edge - PLUS he's my pick for the FINAL FAN VOTE
SP - Wandy Rodriguez - If anyone gets snubbed it'll be him. B/c the Astros blow and I already predicted two to make the team. If he gets another 2 wins with quality starts...he'll be here. So for now, he's here.
RP - Jonathan Broxton - who is going argue this?
RP - Trevor Hoffman - See ABOVE!
RP - Heath Bell - Padres with THREE reps? Pssssshhttt....
RP - Francisco Cordero - Can't deny him.
On to the AMERICAN LEAGUE:
C - Joe Mauer - In April I say Victor. No way Joe doesn't get the fan votes now.
1B - Miguel Cabrera - I say Miggy is popular enough player combined with his scorching start to get it.
2B - Dustin Pedroia - ****in' Red Sox. At least he has a great average. My vote goes to Kinsler.
SS - Derek Jeter - ****in' Yankees. My vote goes to Bartlett despite his DL stint.
3B - Evan Longoria - Arod, meet the new king; you don't make it this year, HAH!
OF - Grady Sizemore - He sucks so far. But he still gets it.
OF - Ichiro Suzuki - Duh. And Seattle's only rep...ONCE AGAIN
OF - Jason Bay - This is just pure guessing right here. It COULD be Josh Hamilton even though he hasn't done much this year. Boston + hot start = AS start? He's either a starter or reserve.
SP - Zack Greinke - I WAS considering Brad Bergensen here...but Greinke gets the nod.
C - Victor Martinez - He'd start in the NL for sure.
C - Kurt Suzuki - Maddon seems like a guy that wants three catchers. I think Suzuki is the lone A's rep.
1B - Justin Morneau - Maddon hates the Yankees!
2B - Ian Kinsler - No way this guy doesn't make it.
2B - Aaron Hill - SEE ABOVE!
SS - Jason Bartlett - SEE ABOVE + Maddon!
3B - Michael Young - hitting the cover off the ball...
OF - Adam Jones - DUH
OF - Nick Markakis - He's been mired in a slump but I say he finishes strong to the break for the players to vote him in. Could be the homer in me...
OF - Carl Crawford - Maddon, nuff said. 30/30 as of right now helps.
OF - Torii Hunter - Has done well in Vlad's absence.
OF - Jermaine Dye - It's beteween him and Damon right now. I give it to Dye. Someone could just light it up in the AL (Nelson Cruz?) and take over though.
SP - Roy Halladay - No explanation.
SP - Mark Buehrle - He's here regardless. ESPECIALLY if Dye doesn't make it.
SP - Justin Verlander - The hottest pitcher right now not named Santana or Greinke.
SP - CC Sabathia - The only thing holding him back right now is the wins. I say he gets at least 3 more the way the Yankees are playing.
SP - Kevin Slowely - This is a tough one. 7-1 W-L record. 44 K's...5 BB's!!! yet...4.11 ERA. I'm going to go on a limb and say he has 9 victories with an ERA under 4 and gets the nod - GETS IN BY FAN VOTE!
SP - Jered Weaver - Hard to deny this guy. He needs AT LEAST 3 more wins/quality starts to get there and I say he does it.
RP - Jonathan Papelbon - Blown a few but still is second in saves with 2.57 ERA. He's in.
RP - Frank Francisco - Will have to have a complete meltdown not to make it.
RP - Mariano Rivera - Respect.
RP - Joe Nathan - Consistent.
RP - Brain Fuentes - ERA IS high...but it will go down as he gets more saves.
LETS DISCUSS!
Right now I'm going to predict the starters and reserves. You should know, obviously, that my predictions for starters are based solely on popularity.
NL
C - Brian McCann - I don't see Yadier or Kendall taking the torch here. McCann will edge out Russ Martin in the long run.
1B - Albert Pujols - No explanation needed.
2B - Chase Utley - See above.
SS - Hanley Ramirez - Too many people know about him now to not be elected to start.
3B - David Wright - I ALMOST went with Zimmerman here b/c of his hot start but as of now, it's too early for him to overcome D-Wright's popularity. If he stays smokin' hot, it is a possibility. I've voted for him at least 10 times.
OF - Ryan Braun - Will be NL OF vote leader
OF - Carlos Beltran - Always a favorite.
OF - Raul Ibanez - this is just a dumb ole gamble right here. Manny won't crack the top three now. Soriano is doing rather well but Ibanez is just SCORCHING hot and he's in the top 6 right now. I see Philly fans and respectable baseball fans pushing him into the top 3. I WILL be wrong if he cools off though.
SP - Johan Santana - I think it is clear who starts for the NL and AL this year.
RESERVES:
C - Ivan Rodriguez - My gut just says he'll be the backup b/c of his history with MLB. Yadier MIGHT make it if they take a third.
1B - Joey Votto - Representing Cincy with the RP listed below.
1B - Adrian Gonzalez - Duh.
2B - Freddy Sanchez - Pittsburgh's lonely rep.
2B - Orlando Hudson - Usually there is an additional SS than 2B but I don't see any SS holding the fort besides Guzman but Zimmerman will be Nationals rep. Hudson gets the nod here.
SS - Yunel Escobar - Yep. You heard it. Even with my prediction for McCann to start I think he gets the reserve spot. I don't see Tejada making it. It is possible Charlie rewards the Nationals for their stellar offense and gives Guzman THE spot or an additional spot here. But remember - the Nationals BLOW.
3B - Ryan Zimmerman - should start and won't. Other players will respect him here.
OF - Brad Hawpe - Lone Rockies rep.
OF - Justin Upton - He's hot.
OF - Hunter Pence - Average may carry him over if he stays above .333 and I think he will.
OF - Alfonso Soriano - Still makes it besides my courage to not predict him as a starter.
OF - Jayson Werth - Don't forget Charlie is the NL manager and I think Jayson improves his .255 AVG to nudge himself in as the "what the hell?" pick.
SP - Chad Billingsley - Struggled as of late but I still think he gets in.
SP - Dan Haren - See above just add a couple more wins.
SP - Tim Lincecum - Might seem like a DUH! But I think he gets nod over Cain who doesn't stay strong...
SP - Javier Vazquez - Don't laugh. With a few more wins he'll be in.
SP - Jake Peavy - Yup. Guy is on fire right now.
SP - Adam Wainright - The fact it is played in STL gives him the edge - PLUS he's my pick for the FINAL FAN VOTE
SP - Wandy Rodriguez - If anyone gets snubbed it'll be him. B/c the Astros blow and I already predicted two to make the team. If he gets another 2 wins with quality starts...he'll be here. So for now, he's here.
RP - Jonathan Broxton - who is going argue this?
RP - Trevor Hoffman - See ABOVE!
RP - Heath Bell - Padres with THREE reps? Pssssshhttt....
RP - Francisco Cordero - Can't deny him.
On to the AMERICAN LEAGUE:
C - Joe Mauer - In April I say Victor. No way Joe doesn't get the fan votes now.
1B - Miguel Cabrera - I say Miggy is popular enough player combined with his scorching start to get it.
2B - Dustin Pedroia - ****in' Red Sox. At least he has a great average. My vote goes to Kinsler.
SS - Derek Jeter - ****in' Yankees. My vote goes to Bartlett despite his DL stint.
3B - Evan Longoria - Arod, meet the new king; you don't make it this year, HAH!
OF - Grady Sizemore - He sucks so far. But he still gets it.
OF - Ichiro Suzuki - Duh. And Seattle's only rep...ONCE AGAIN
OF - Jason Bay - This is just pure guessing right here. It COULD be Josh Hamilton even though he hasn't done much this year. Boston + hot start = AS start? He's either a starter or reserve.
SP - Zack Greinke - I WAS considering Brad Bergensen here...but Greinke gets the nod.
C - Victor Martinez - He'd start in the NL for sure.
C - Kurt Suzuki - Maddon seems like a guy that wants three catchers. I think Suzuki is the lone A's rep.
1B - Justin Morneau - Maddon hates the Yankees!
2B - Ian Kinsler - No way this guy doesn't make it.
2B - Aaron Hill - SEE ABOVE!
SS - Jason Bartlett - SEE ABOVE + Maddon!
3B - Michael Young - hitting the cover off the ball...
OF - Adam Jones - DUH
OF - Nick Markakis - He's been mired in a slump but I say he finishes strong to the break for the players to vote him in. Could be the homer in me...
OF - Carl Crawford - Maddon, nuff said. 30/30 as of right now helps.
OF - Torii Hunter - Has done well in Vlad's absence.
OF - Jermaine Dye - It's beteween him and Damon right now. I give it to Dye. Someone could just light it up in the AL (Nelson Cruz?) and take over though.
SP - Roy Halladay - No explanation.
SP - Mark Buehrle - He's here regardless. ESPECIALLY if Dye doesn't make it.
SP - Justin Verlander - The hottest pitcher right now not named Santana or Greinke.
SP - CC Sabathia - The only thing holding him back right now is the wins. I say he gets at least 3 more the way the Yankees are playing.
SP - Kevin Slowely - This is a tough one. 7-1 W-L record. 44 K's...5 BB's!!! yet...4.11 ERA. I'm going to go on a limb and say he has 9 victories with an ERA under 4 and gets the nod - GETS IN BY FAN VOTE!
SP - Jered Weaver - Hard to deny this guy. He needs AT LEAST 3 more wins/quality starts to get there and I say he does it.
RP - Jonathan Papelbon - Blown a few but still is second in saves with 2.57 ERA. He's in.
RP - Frank Francisco - Will have to have a complete meltdown not to make it.
RP - Mariano Rivera - Respect.
RP - Joe Nathan - Consistent.
RP - Brain Fuentes - ERA IS high...but it will go down as he gets more saves.
LETS DISCUSS!
