MLB Betting Predictions For The 2015 All Star Game

Outside winning the World Series, there is probably no thrilling achievement for Major League players that comes close to the joy of earning a call-up to the critically acclaimed MLB All-Star teams. Of course, winning a divisional pennant is huge, and so is winning individual honors like the Cy Young Award, but none of those achievements are nationally televised and widely celebrated in glamorous fashion like the MLB All-Star event. Yeah, we’ve heard the incessant gripe about the MLB ASG and we are aware about the statistical decline in TV Ratings of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game over the last couple of decades, but we aren’t buying into such excuses. Like the World Series or any other big sporting event you may mention, media hype and public discussions play an important role in shaping general opinions, but the true value eventually comes down to how you choose to perceive it. And for us, there’s a ton of value to get from the All-Star Game, not to mention the money we can make from wagering on the MLB betting odds and lines. That said, it is worth noting that, yesterday, the MLB announced the complete starting lineups and batting orders for the National League and American League teams. In case you haven’t checked out the starters, here is a run-down of the line line-ups:

In Depth Analysis on MLB Betting Predictions For The 2015 All Star Game

Today, 5:00 PM Great American Ball Park, Cincinnati, Ohio

AL Batting Order Player

1. Mike Trout, CF, Los Angeles Angels 2. Josh Donaldson, 3B, Toronto Blue Jays 3. Albert Pujols, 1B, Los Angeles Angels 4. Nelson Cruz, DH, Seattle Mariners 5. Lorenzo Cain, RF, Kansas City Royals 6. Adam Jones, LF, Baltimore Orioles 7. Salvador Perez, C, Kansas City Royals 8. Jose Altuve, 2B, Houston Astros 9. Alcides Escobar, SS, Kansas City Royals Pitcher Dallas Keuchel, Houston Astros

NL Batting Order Player

1. Andrew McCutchen, CF, Pittsburgh Pirates 2. Todd Frazier, 3B, Cincinnati Reds 3. Bryce Harper, RF, Washington Nationals 4. Paul Goldschmidt, 1B, Arizona Diamondbacks 5. Buster Posey, C, San Francisco Giants 6. Anthony Rizzo, DH, Chicago Cubs 7. Jhonny Peralta, SS, St. Louis Cardinals 8. Joc Pederson, LF, Los Angeles Dodgers 9. DJ LeMahieu, 2B, Colorado Rockies Pitcher Zack Greinke, Los Angeles Dodgers Needless to say, all the above players are worthy stars in their own merit and deservedly make the list, so a pretty entertaining showcase can be expected by baseball fans from the starters and the reserves who will be involved in the MLB All-Star game. But for the sake of selective viewing and getting the most of your time, here are the top players we recommend that you keep out an eye on during the game:

Dallas Keuchel, Astros

After a disappointing 2013 season that saw him record a 5.15 ERA with the Astros, who lost a franchise-record 111 games, Keuchel made a huge turnaround together with his surprising Houston team. Currently, the Astros are a half-game behind the AL West-leading Los Angeles Angels. But more importantly, Keuchel has posted a 2.23 ERA so far this season and his 11 wins tie him with Seattle’s Felix Hernandez for the most in the AL. In addition, his 137 1/3 innings pitched over 19 starts are the highest in the MLB this season.

Zack Greinke, Dodgers

Though pitchers tend to throw an inning apiece during the All-Star game, Greinke (8-2) will be considered as the hurler with the advantage, bearing in mind the amazing form he’s enjoyed recently. The 31-year-old pitcher has not allowed an earned run in his last five starts, spanning over an impressive total of 35 2/3 innings. More notably, the 2009 Cy Young Award brags of being the first Dodger pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Brad Penny in 2006 and, according to ESPN, his MLB-best 1.39 ERA at the All-Star Break is the lowest since 1968.

What About the Hitters?

With Andrew McCutchen hitting leadoff for the National League and Mike Trout hitting leadoff for the American League, it is bound to be interesting how both players will give account of themselves. The rest of the hitters also come with vastly dynamic talents. As a noteworthy remark, the All-Star lineup for the NL looks better at hitting home runs, while AL is really good at getting on base. It will therefore be interesting to see how the different styles work out against the pitchers. But as a bottom line, we should be able to witness a fierce and tactically sound game from both teams.

Concluding Betting Remarks

All in all, the MLB betting stakes will be high in Cincinnati, as both teams seek to win home-field advantage for the 2015 World Series. This will be particularly important for both starting pitchers, as the Dodgers are atop the NL West, while the Astros still have a good chance of winning the AL West in spite of their recent slide. Generally, I prefer just to enjoy the game than make predictions, but on this occasion, I’ll make an exception. I mean…Both teams are really talented and all, but the NL side looks to have a lot of power from top to bottom, so I’m inclined to go with the National League getting the win this Tuesday.