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2016 MLB Home Run Derby Predictions

The Major League Baseball season has hit the midway point, with the All Star Break festivities getting under way. The first day of the All Star break is always the Homerun Derby.

Some like it, some don’t, but in the end, it provides entertainment for those that enjoy the game of baseball. Let’s take a look at the Home Run Derby match-ups for the 2016 event.

Mark Trumbo vs. Corey Seager
The top seed in the Home Run Derby is the slugger from the Baltimore Orioles that is leading all of Major League Baseball in Home Runs. Mark Trumbo has 28 dingers, and he will go against the 8th seed, Corey Seager of the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Seager is a rookie, who has belted just 17 on the season in his rookie season. Trumbo, obviously is the big favorite in this one, but the younger Seager will certainly be someone that will want to put on a show for folks in San Diego. Our pick would be the bomber from Baltimore.

Robinson Cano vs. Giancarlo Stanton
The second match-up is the fourth seed against the fifth seed. These two are big time sluggers, and this should be a pretty fun match-up. The second basemen from Seattle, Robinson Cano will take on the slugger from the Miami Marlins; Giancarlo Stanton.

Cano came into Sunday 15th in Major League Baseball with 20 Home Runs while Stanton, following his extremely slow start has 19 on the season, and just behind Cano on the leaderboard. This should be fun, but favorite Stanton, with more pure power in this one.

Todd Frazier vs. Carlos Gonzalez
The third match-up sees a guy in Todd Frazier, who won the event in Cincinnati just a season ago. Now in Chicago, Frazier has been a pure power guy for the White Sox. Todd Frazier as the #2 seed will take on Carlos Gonzalez, as the #7 seed.

Frazier has belted 25 bombs, which is the second most behind Trumbo in Major League Baseball, while Carlos Gonzalez gets to play his home games in Denver. Gonzalez is tied for 27th on the list with 18 Home Runs. Despite the history, liking Carlos Gonzalez in this one, due to being left handed and also familiar with the ball park in San Diego.

Adam Duvall vs. Wil Myers
The final match-up in the Home Run Derby is the third seeded Adam Duvall from the Cincinnati Reds and Wil Myers of the San Diego Padres. Of course, Myers is the hometown favorite in this game, and Duvall is a rookie.

Duvall has 23 dingers on the season, which is in the Top 10, while Myers has belted 19. This has Myers winning written all over it. Should be fun to hear the crowd reception for Myers in this match-up.

The final prediction for the 2016 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby is the lefthanded hitting Carlos Gonzalez. Look for Gonzalez to show some of his pure power, in a bit of an upset on Monday night.

You can bet on the Derby at BetDSI and Bookmaker.ake a look at the Home Run Derby match-ups for the 2016 event.

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LEADING OFF: Derby day; timely break for Cubs, Rangers
July 11, 2016

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:


DERBY DAY

Todd Frazier will try to defend his title in the All-Star Home Run Derby at Petco Park. Frazier won last year's derby in Cincinnati while he was with the Reds, becoming the second player to win the long-ball competition in his home park. He edged Dodgers rookie Joc Pederson 15-14 with a late surge in the final round, and he'll have to hold off another L.A. rookie in Corey Seager to win this year. The field also includes Mark Trumbo, Carlos Gonzalez, Adam Duvall, Robinson Cano, Giancarlo Stanton and San Diego's Wil Myers.

MIDSUMMER BREAKERS

Two of baseball's best teams in the first half, the Cubs and Rangers, couldn't have hid the All-Star break at a better time. Chicago limped into the break 6-15 over its past 21 games, and of course many of the Cubs key players won't get much of a rest - Anthony Rizzo, Ben Zobrist, Kris Bryant, Addison Russell, Jake Arrieta and Jon Lester are all headed to San Diego as All-Stars.

The AL-leading Rangers are only sending Cole Hamels and Ian Desmond to Petco Park, which might be good news for a team that lost nine of 12 to end the first half.

''There are points in the season where they don't look so well, don't feel so well. Today capped all that off. Hopefully, that's the bottom,'' manager Jeff Banister said. ''There's some times when you're not playing well, you kind of hope for a rainout. We get a four-day rainout.''

BRANTLEY PROGRESSING

Michael Brantley will begin a minor league rehab assignment Monday. The Indians outfielder has missed most of the season with a sore right shoulder following offseason surgery. He's hit .231 in 11 games this season and hasn't played since May 9.

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MLB

Monday, July 11


If you've been blindly betting the @Cubs since June 20 through yesterday you'd be down a cool 20.38 positions in 21 games (dat…


Orioles now 13-0 in Tillman's last 13 starts at Camden Yards (9-4 covering -1.5) after 4-2 win over Angels on Sun.


W/ Twins' surprising offensive outburst yesterday, they tagged A.J. Griffin with 6 ERs - the 1st time he's allowed more than 3 ERs since 2013


Another OVER in a game umpired by Ramon De Jesus - that makes 8 in a row NYY/CLE Total: 7.5 Total runs scored: 18

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Landon Donovan has go-ahead hit in celebrity softball
July 11, 2016

SAN DIEGO (AP) Former U.S. soccer star Landon Donovan hit a tiebreaking single off retired San Diego pitcher Trevor Hoffman in the fifth inning and scored on two errors by rock singer Tim Foreman for a Little League home run, lifting the American League over the National 8-7 on Sunday night in the All-Star legends and celebrity softball game.

Jamie Foxx doubled in the tying run. Donovan, who played in three World Cups, gave the AL an 8-6 lead in the six-inning game, scoring on the bobble and overthrow of third.

Olympic gold medal softball pitcher Jennie Finch hit an RBI single off Donovan in the bottom half. The game ended when Omar Miller tagged out fellow actor Cameron Boyce at the plate on a relay from Donovan following a flyout.

New Orleans quarterback Drew Brees hit a solo homer for the NL and an RBI double, and Billy Bean hit a three-run homer, with Donovan allowing both long balls. Bean, a former Padres outfielder, is now Major League Baseball's vice president for social responsibility and inclusion.

Ozzie Smith, Rickey Henderson and Andre Dawson were among the former players in the game, with Dawson appearing on his 62nd birthday.

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My pick to win the HomeRun Derby:


Adam Duvall, Cincinnati Reds (6/1)

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Owell Adam Duvall gave it a shot....But i must say Stanton was there to prove a point.....

Amazing power !!!

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Armadillo: Tuesday's six-pack

-- Jordan Spieth dropped out of Olympics; world's top four golfers are now out.

-- Wonder what %age of NBA players watch summmer league games on TV?

-- New Brooklyn coach Kenny Atkinson is coaching the Nets' summer games to get used to running an NBA game-- he's never been an NBA head coach before.

-- Still amazing to me that Butler played for national title in college hoop two years in a row, when they were in the Horizon League. Underrated feat.

-- SEC commish said Monday that last August was first time since 1984 that no SEC football teams were on probation.

-- Atlanta Braves were 9-29 when they changed managers; they're 13-12 in their last 25 games and playing a lot better. They hit 13 HRs in their first 38 games, have hit 42 HRs in their last 51.

**********

Armadillo: Tuesday's List of 13: Nobody asked me, but........

13) Congrats to Tim Duncan, retiring with five championships in his 19 years, but more than being a great player, Duncan is a terrific guy who was universally lauded as a great teammate. It is good to know that being a great teammate is being honored.

12) In his career, counting playoff games, Duncan's total plus/minus was exactly +10,000; next best during that time is Dirk Nowitzki, at +6,725.

That means while Duncan was on the court, the Spurs outscored their opponents by 10,000 points, a staggering figure.

Enjoy your retirement, sir.

11) They used the Padres' old brown/gold color scheme for All-Star uniforms, but San Diego's uniforms now are blue and white. Like the brown/gold that Dave Winfield and Nate Colbert wore much, much better- they should switch back.

10) Daniel Murphy is hitting 22-52 (.423) against his old team the Mets this season, with seven HRs, 21 RBI.

9) UFC sold for $4B over the weekend, which is a lot of money. I've never watched it, but what do you do with $4B? The guys who used to own UFC, their kids went to Bishop Gorman HS in Las Vegas- the weight room in that school is better than most D-I football teams' weight room- the UFC guys paid for it.

8) I just don't like watching people fight; I'll turn a hockey game off if a fight starts, but apparently, if UFC sold for $4B, lot of people like watching fights.

7) They just said on TV that Wil Myers hit a baseball off a tee, over the CF fence in San Diego- his coaches had bet him he couldn't do it.

6) Tony Padilla threw to Adam Duvall in HR Derby last night; he is also a college hoop ref who worked the Oklahoma-Villanova national semifinal game last April- his regular job is as a bail bondsman.

5) College basketball knowledge: Since 1987, the defending champ is 10-14 vs spread in its first NCAA tournament game the next season.

4) Since 2001, when the defending champ makes the Sweet 16, they're 1-7 SU, 0-8 against the spread in their Sweet 16 game. Only winner was Florida in 2008.

3) I'm tired of TV guys pumping up how much potential Joel Embiid has; he played one year (2013-14) at Kansas, scoring 11.2 ppg in 23.1 mpg. He then left for the NBA Draft, the 76ers took him and he's played in as many NBA games as I have-- zero.

Good teams draft productive players- they don't speculate on potential. Maybe some day the light bulb will come on over Embiid's head and he'll be a good player, but if he hasn't played in one game in two years, how likely is that to happen?

2) How hard is it to make an NBA roster? As I type this, Jimmer Fredette is on TV, playing for Denver's summer league team, trying to get back in the league. He is an elite shooter, which you would think makes him marketable, but Jimmer couldn't guard the chair I'm sitting on, so he has become a journeyman.

But he has an elite NBA skill and still struggles to make a roster. Lot of these kids who leave college early for the NBA- what elite skill do they have, other than potential?

1) Imagine my delight when I saw the Rams would be featured in not one, but two reality shows this summer/fall. No bueno.

First HBO has them on Hard Knocks, I'm sure part of the price they had to pay for moving to LA. Then, for better or worse, six Rams players will be featured on an E! Channel reality show during the season-- what could possibly go wrong there? Oy.

[StarDust Bum]

MLB

Tuesday, July 12


Top Earning Team At Home:
Baltimore Orioles +$1632 (33-14)


Bottom of the Barrel Earners At Home:
Arizona Diamondbacks -$2388 (15-32)


Top Earning Team On The Road:
San Francisco Giants +$1170 (28-16)


Bottom of the Barrel Earners On The Road:
Kansas City Royals -$1227 (16-30)


Marlins' Giancarlo "Don't Call Me Mike" Stanton wins the 2016 MLB Home Run Derby (7/2). 61 HRs...new record. Berman said "back" 6832 times.

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86th MLB All-Star Game betting preview and odds

The National League will come into the 86th MLB All-Star Game as slight betting favorites over the American League despite losing the last three seasons.

National League at American League (+107, 7.5)

Game to be played at Petco Park in San Diego, California

The American League has secured home-field advantage in the World Series in each of the past three seasons - and would love to extend that streak as it tangles with the best players from the National League in the 86th annual Major League All-Star Game at San Diego’s Petco Park. The Kansas City Royals failed to use home field to their advantage in 2014, but put it to good use last year en route to their first championship since 1985.

Kansas City manager Ned Yost will be relying on a powerhouse Boston Red Sox lineup that has produced four members of the American League starting lineup. That group is anchored by ageless designated hitter David Ortiz, who will be making his 10th career All-Star Game appearance. He’s joined by teammates and All-Star newcomers Xander Bogaerts, Mookie Betts and Jackie Bradley Jr., while the Royals’ Salvador Perez and Eric Hosmer, the Orioles’ Manny Machado and the Astros’ Jose Altuve round out the starting nine.

New York Mets manager Terry Collins may not have the bats to counter the AL lineup, but he certainly has the arms to subdue them. Even without all-world ace Clayton Kershaw, Mets fireballer Noah Syndergaard and Nationals star Stephen Strasburg, the NL will send an armada of nasty pitchers to the hill. That list includes All-Star starter Johnny Cueto, Cubs No. 1 Jake Arrieta, Marlins fireballer Jose Fernandez and 42-year-old fan favorite Bartolo Colon. The lineup is no slouch, either, anchored by four Chicago Cubs - including home-run leader Kris Bryant.

TV: 8 p.m. ET, FOX

LINE HISTORY: The line has moved slightly in favor of the National League after opening at AL +104, while the game total has remained unchanged. View full line history here.

WEATHER REPORT: Sunny skies are expected at Petco Park for first pitch, with temperatures sitting in the high 60s. Wind is expected to blow from left to right field at 6 mph.

WHAT CAPPERS SAY: "Since the MLB All-Star game began in 1933, the National League has a slight 43-41-2 lead. However, it has been an incredibly streaky event. From 1960-1985, the National League went 25-3-1. Then from 1988-2009, the American League went 18-3-1. The past six years have seen a 3-0 NL run followed by the current 3-0 AL run."

PITCHING MATCHUP: White Sox LH Chris Sale (14-3, 3.38 ERA) vs. Giants RH Johnny Cueto (13-1, 2.47 ERA)

Sale sliced through the majority of his opponents in the first half, and comes into the break as the majors’ only 14-game winner. While his K/9 rate has dipped below nine - after sitting at a league-best 11.8 last season - he has made up for it by pitching deeper into games, evidenced by his AL-high three complete games. Opponents are hitting just .223 against him.

Cueto has endured some trouble spots of late but has otherwise been one of the most dominant pitchers in the NL; He has allowed two runs or fewer in 13 of 18 starts, and is coming off a complete-game five-hitter against Colorado. Cueto’s 13 victories lead the National League, and the 30-year-old is on a personal 10-game winning streak dating back to his lone loss April 21.

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2016 All-Star Game
July 12, 2016


AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STARS at NATIONAL LEAGUE ALL-STARS

Sportsbook.ag Line: American League +105, National League -115, Total: 7.5

The American League will be looking to win its fourth straight All-Star Game when it faces the National League at Petco Park on Tuesday.

The All-Star Game will be played in San Diego on Tuesday night and the winner of this game will secure home field advantage for the team that represents it in the World Series.

For the past three seasons, the American League has been the team that has earned the right to play the extra game at home. The AL won 3-0 in 2013, 5-3 in 2014 and 6-3 at Great American Ball Park last year.

Mike Trout was the guy that ended up taking home the MVP honors and it was his second year in a row earning that award. It’s also worth noting that David Price was the winning pitcher for the American League last year, but he will not be playing in this year’s game.

While the AL has won this game three years in a row, it is worth noting that the NL won three years in a row before that. The series has been pretty even in its history, as the National League has won this game 43 times and the American League has won the game 41 times.

One last thing worth noting is that last year’s game was the first time the All-Star Game went OVER in the past 10 years. It will be interesting to see if that will happen two years in a row, but clearly it is unlikely with the way these games have gone in the past.

The American League will be hoping to make it four straight All-Star Game victories on Tuesday and should have an excellent chance at doing so.

The starter to keep an eye on for the AL in this game is LHP Chris Sale (14-3, 3.38 ERA, 123 K). Sale is one of the most dominant pitchers in baseball, but he has struggled a bit coming into this thing. He has allowed four or more earned runs in five of his past nine starts and will need to be better for his team on Tuesday. He will be facing some of the best hitters in the world, but won’t need to pitch that many innings.

The All-Star Game usually sees a ton of different relievers coming in to get some outs and the AL has guys like LHP Andrew Miller (5-1, 1.37 ERA, 69 K, 7 SV) and RHP Dellin Betances (2-4, 2.66 ERA, 78 K) to do just that. Both guys will be ready to pitch an inning or two in this one and if their seasons show anything, it’s that they won’t be letting their opponents do much hitting on Tuesday.

Offensively, it’s hard not to start off with OF Mike Trout (.322, 18 HR, 58 RBI). Trout has won the past two All-Star Game MVP awards and has been his usual dominant self all season. He’ll be hoping to drive in some runs in this one.

The team also features 2B Jose Altuve (.341, 14 HR, 51 RBI), DH Edwin Encarnacion (.267, 23 HR, 80 RBI), DH David Ortiz (.332, 22 HR, 72 RBI), SS Xander Bogaerts (.329, 10 HR, 56 RBI), 3B Miguel Cabrera (.293, 18 HR, 53 RBI), OF Mark Trumbo (.288, 28 HR, 68 RBI) and 1B Eric Hosmer (.299, 13 HR, 49 RBI). Every guy you’ll find in the lineups for this game can hit, but these players have been exceptional this year.

The National League will be banking on its pitching to win this matchup, as the team has guys like RHP Jake Arrieta (12-4, 2.68 ERA, 121 K), RHP Johnny Cueto (13-1, 2.47 ERA, 115 K) and RHP Jose Fernandez (11-4, 2.52 ERA, 154 K) on the roster.

All of these guys have been pitching extremely well this season and would be considered Cy Young candidates if Kershaw wasn’t around. They’ll only need to pitch an inning or two each in this one, so they should have their best stuff and be tough to hit.

Offensively, the National League will need a lot from guys like 3B Nolan Arenado (.287, 23 HR, 70 RBI), C Buster Posey (.293, 11 HR, 42 RBI), 3B Kris Bryant (.286, 25 HR, 65 RBI), 2B Daniel Murphy (.348, 17 HR, 66 RBI) and OF Bryce Harper (.256, 19 HR, 52 RBI). This lineup has a nice mix of guys that hit for power and guys that can get on base, but they likely won’t need to do as much as the AL lineup.

The NL team has far superior starting pitching and likely will not need too much run support in this one. But that could change if Arrieta does not pitch like he is capable of on Tuesday.

2016 MLB All-Star Game Propositions - per Sportsbook.ag

First Full 5 Innings Line and Total

American League -105
National League -115

American League +0.5 (-140)
National League -0.5 (+120)

Over 4 (-130)
Under 4 (+110)

Total Runs+Hits+Errors
Over 24 (-115)
Under 24 (-115)

Team to Score First
American League -135
National League +115

Adjusted Runline A
American League -1.5 (+225)
National League +1.5 (-290)

Adjusted Runline B
American League +2.5 (-300)
National League -2.5 (+235)

American League - Total Runs
Over 3.5 (-130)
Under 3.5 (Even)

National League - Total Runs
Over 4 (Even)
Under 4 (-130)

Will there be a score in the 1st Inning?
Yes +125
No -155

Total Runs
Odd -155
Even +125

Will the game go to Extra Innings?
Yes +625
No -1000

1st Inning Winner (3-way)
American League +325
National League +300
Tie -150

1st 5 Innings Winner (3-way)
American League +140
National League +120
Tie +375

Margin of Victory
AL to win by 1 +425
AL to win by 2 +700
AL to win by 3 +950
AL to win by 4 +1350
AL to win by 5 or +650
NL to win by 1 +400
NL to win by 2 +650
NL to win by 3 +850
NL to win by 4 +1200
NL to win by 5 or +550

Double Result (1st 5 Innings / Game Winner)
AL / AL +160
AL / NL +850
NL / AL +950
NL / NL +135
Tie / AL +1000
Tie / NL +900

Odds Subject to Change

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Individual Award Odds
July 12, 2016

The first half of the MLB season is in the books and there aren’t many surprises atop the individual leaderboards. Past the pennant races, there are several close races for awards such as Most Valuable Player and Cy Young. Familiar names sit on this list that look to continue solid efforts moving into the second half of the season.

The National League Cy Young award is up for grabs with plenty of aces that have solid cases to capture this honor. In spite of not pitching since June 26, Dodgers’ southpaw Clayton Kershaw is the favorite to win his third Cy Young in the last four seasons. Kershaw is listed at 8/5 odds (Bet $100 to win $160) to be named the top NL hurler, owning an 11-2 record and ERA of 1.79, but is currently on the disabled list with a strained back.

Last season’s Cy Young winner Jake Arrieta started the season on fire, but the Cubs’ right-hander has dropped three of his last four starts to fall to 12-4 on the campaign.

In the American League, the race isn’t as tight at the top as Chicago left-hander Chris Sale has separated himself from the pack with a 14-3 record and ERA of 3.38. Sale’s ERA blew up in his final start of the first half against Atlanta by allowing eight earned runs in five innings of work, but the White Sox ace is well on his way to setting a new career high in wins (17 in 2012).

Indians’ right-hander Danny Salazar ranks second in the American League in ERA at 2.75, while owning a solid 10-3 record. Salazar sits behind Sale for the AL Cy Young at 2/1 odds, while Sale is currently at 7/5 odds (Bet $100 to win $140) to win the award.

From an MVP standpoint, Rockies’ third baseman Nolan Arenado is the favorite at even odds to grab the honor. Arenado leads the NL in runs batted in (70) and ranks second in home runs (23) behind Cubs’ third baseman Kris Bryant.

Nationals’ right fielder Bryce Harper looks to bring home consecutive MVP awards, but is outside the top-10 in the NL in batting average and runs batted in, while being tied for 10th in home runs with 19. Bryant knocked out 26 homers in his rookie season with the Cubs, but already has drilled 25 home runs this season and is listed at 3/1 odds to win his first MVP award.

In the American League, Blue Jays’ third baseman Josh Donaldson seeks his second straight MVP honor. Donaldson is tied for third in the AL with 23 home runs and ranks fourth in RBI with 63, one season after posting 41 homers and 123 RBI, both career highs.

Red Sox’ slugger David Ortiz is on the doorstep of retirement, but “Big Papi” isn’t slowing down by ranking second in both batting average (.332) and RBI (72) in the American League. Ortiz sits at 6/1 odds to win the MVP, one of three Boston players that own odds of 15/1 or better (Jackie Bradley, Jr. and Xander Bogaerts).

Below are the latest MLB award odds courtesy of Sportsbook.ag:

2016 National League Cy Young

Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 8/5
Jake Arrieta (CHC) 3/1
Stephen Strasburg (WSH) 7/2
Madison Bumgarner (SF) 9/2
Noah Sydergaard (NYM) 10/1
Jose Fernandez (MIA) 15/1
Johnny Cueto (SF) 18/1
Max Scherzer (WSH) 20/1
Jon Lester (CHC) 30/1
Carlos Martinez (STL) 50/1
Jacob deGrom (NYM) 50/1
Zack Greinke (ARZ) 60/1
Jeff Samardzija (SF) 100/1
Adam Wainwright (STL) 200/1
Francisco Liriano (PIT) 200/1

2016 American League Cy Young

Chris Sale (CWS) 7/5
Danny Salazar (CLE) 2/1
Chris Tillman (BAL) 12/1
Cole Hamels (TEX) 15/1
Corey Kluber (CLE) 18/1
Dallas Keuchel (HOU) 18/1
Carlos Carrasco (CLE) 20/1
David Price (BOS) 20/1
Chris Archer (TB) 30/1
Zach Britton (BAL) 30/1
Masahiro Tanaka (NYY) 40/1
Justin Verlander (DET) 50/1
Marcus Stroman (TOR) 50/1
Sonny Gray (OAK) 50/1

2016 National League Regular Season MVP

Nolan Arenado (COL) Even
Bryce Harper (WSH) 2/1
Kris Bryant (CHC) 3/1
Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 8/1
Anthony Rizzo (CHC) 12/1
Giancarlo Stanton (MIA) 20/1
Yoenis Cespedes (NYM) 20/1
Paul Goldschmidt (ARZ) 25/1
Buster Posey (SF) 40/1
Starling Marte (PIT) 70/1

2016 American League Regular Season MVP

Josh Donaldson (TOR) 3/1
Jose Altuve (HOU) 4/1
Manny Machado (BAL) 5/1
Mike Trout (LAA) 6/1
David Ortiz (BOS) 8/1
Robinson Cano (SEA) 8/1
Edwin Encarnacion (TOR) 15/1
Jackie Bradley Jr (BOS) 15/1
Xander Bogaerts (BOS) 15/1
Todd Frazier (CWS) 20/1
Carlos Correa (HOU) 25/1
Nelson Cruz (SEA) 30/1
Chris Davis (BAL) 40/1
Lorenzo Cain (KC) 60/1
Adrian Beltre (TEX) 100/1
Jose Abreu (CWS) 100/1

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Sale, Cueto to start All-Star Game
July 11, 2016

SAN DIEGO (AP) Chris Sale of the Chicago White Sox will start for the American League in Tuesday night's All-Star Game and Johnny Cueto of the San Francisco Giants for the National League.

Sale, a 27-year-old left-hander, is 14-3 with a 3.38 ERA and leads the major leagues in wins. He has 123 strikeouts and just 26 walks in 125 innings, and batters are hitting .225 against him.

Cueto, a 30-year-old right-hander who left Kansas City to sign with the Giants last offseason, tops NL pitchers in victories. He is 13-1 with a 2.47 ERA, striking out 115 in 131 1/3 innings. He has won 10 consecutive decisions since an April 21 loss to Arizona.

AL manager Ned Yost said Monday his batting order has Houston second baseman Jose Altuve leading off, followed by Angels center fielder Mike Trout, Baltimore third baseman Manny Machado, Boston designated hitter David Ortiz, Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, Royals first baseman Eric Hosmer, Red Sox right fielder Mookie Betts, Kansas City catcher Salvador Perez and Boston left fielder Jackie Bradley Jr.

NL manager Terry Collins has Cubs second baseman Ben Zobrist leading off, followed by Washington right fielder Bryce Harper, Cubs third baseman Kris Bryant, San Diego's Wil Myers at designated hitter, San Francisco catcher Buster Posey, Cubs first baseman Anthony Rizzo, Miami center fielder Marcell Ozuna, Colorado left fielder Carlos Gonzalez and Cubs shortstop Addison Russell.

Ozuna and Gonzalez are replacements for the Cubs' Dexter Fowler and the Mets' Yoenis Cespedes, who are hurt.

The AL will be the home team for the game at Petco Park because this is the second straight year of at least four in which the NL will host the All-Stars.

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LEADING OFF: Sale starts vs Cueto in 87th All-Star Game
July 12, 2016

A look at what's happening all around the majors today:

STARRY NIGHT

Petco Park in San Diego hosts the 87th All-Star Game, with White Sox ace Chris Sale (14-3) starting for the American League against Giants righty Johnny Cueto (13-1). The AL has won three in a row, but the National League leads 43-41 overall with two ties. Anthony Rizzo and a lot of Cubs take on David Ortiz and a bunch of Red Sox, and the league that wins gets home-field advantage in the World Series.

MURPH'S OUR MAN

NL manager Terry Collins of the Mets is glad to have Daniel Murphy back on his side. The Washington second baseman leads the majors in hitting at .348 - he's pounded the Mets, who let him go last winter. He is batting .423 with seven home runs and 21 RBIs vs. them this year, getting a hit in all 13 games. Murphy made the NL All-Star squad as a backup after finishing just 88 votes behind Ben Zobrist of the Cubs in fan balloting for starting spots.

VISITING HOME

Padres All-Stars Wil Myers and Drew Pomeranz get to see the other side of Petco Park - specifically, the visitors' clubhouse. With the NL hosting four straight All-Star Games, the AL is serving as the home team in alternate seasons, including this year in San Diego. That means the All-Star teams will use designated hitters in the NL park, and Myers found out Monday he'll bat fourth as the DH. ''I'm just going to soak up every minute of it,'' Myers said. ''I'm not going to take any of it for granted. I'm going to enjoy every second of it and just enjoy it.''

RECOVERING

All-Star closer Craig Kimbrel of the Red Sox moves into rehab mode, a day after having surgery for a tear in his left knee. The team says Kimbrel is expected to make a full recovery and be out for between three and six weeks.

IT GETS WORSE

The Angels' bid to avoid the basement in the AL West will continue without emerging slugger C.J. Cron. The first baseman and designated hitter is expected to miss at least six weeks after surgery on his broken left hand.

Cron had five of his 11 homers this season in his past eight games before being hit by a pitch from Baltimore's Mike Wright on Friday. Cron was on pace for career highs in batting average, homers and RBIs for last-place Los Angeles.

[StarDust Bum]

A capsule look at the All-Star Game on Tuesday in San Diego
July 11, 2016

A look at the 87th Major League Baseball All-Star Game on Tuesday at Petco Park in San Diego:

FIRST PITCH: 8:16 p.m. EDT.

TV: Fox.

RADIO: ESPN Radio, ESPN Radio Deportes.

SERIES: National League leads 43-41, with two ties

AT STAKE: The league that wins gets home-field advantage in the World Series.

STARTING PITCHERS: Chicago White Sox lefty Chris Sale (14-3, 3.38 ERA) for the AL vs. San Francisco Giants righty Johnny Cueto (13-1, 2.47 ERA) for the NL.

STARTING LINEUPS:

AL: Houston 2B Jose Altuve, Angels CF Mike Trout, Baltimore 3B Manny Machado, Boston DH David Ortiz, Boston SS Xander Bogaerts, Kansas City 1B Eric Hosmer, Boston RF Mookie Betts, Kansas City C Salvador Perez, Boston LF Jackie Bradley Jr.

NL: Cubs 2B Ben Zobrist, Washington RF Bryce Harper, Cubs 3B Kris Bryant, San Diego DH Wil Myers, San Francisco C Buster Posey, Chicago 1B Anthony Rizzo, Miami CF Marcell Ozuna, Colorado LF Carlos Gonzalez, Cubs SS Addison Russell.

MANAGERS: Ned Yost of Kansas City (AL), Terry Collins of the New York Mets (NL).

NOTES: The AL is the home team, even though the game is being played at Petco Park in San Diego. The switch was made because this is the second straight year of at least four in a row the NL hosts the All-Stars. Because of AL rules, there is a designated hitter. ... The AL plans to pitch Corey Kluber, Cole Hamels, Aaron Sanchez and Jose Quintana after Sale. The NL hasn't announced its order after Cueto. ... The AL holds a 10-3 edge since the All-Star Game has determined home-field advantage in the World Series.

NEXT YEAR'S SITE: Miami.

[StarDust Bum]

The Latest: Ortiz jersey most popular, judging by sales
July 12, 2016

SAN DIEGO (AP) The Latest on the All-Star Game (all times local):

9:35 a.m.

David Ortiz's jersey is the most popular this season, judging by sales on MLBShop.com between Jan. 1 and the All-Star Game.

Ortiz, 40, plans to retire at the end of the season and is a 10-time All-Star. He also topped the sales list during the 2013-14 offseason, after winning his third World Series title with the Boston Red Sox.

Kris Bryant of the Chicago Cubs is second, followed by Clayton Kershaw of the Los Angeles Dodgers, the Cubs' Anthony Rizzo, the Los Angeles Angels' Mike Trout, San Francisco's Buster Posey, the Cubs' Jake Arrieta, St. Louis' Yadier Molina, Washington's Bryce Harper and the New York Mets' Noah Syndergaard.

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9:27 a.m.

The concessionaire at Petco Park expects to sell 24,000 hot dogs, 16,000 orders of chicken fingers, 18,000 pounds of French fries, 98,000 peanuts and 45,000 bottles of water at the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game.

Delaware North executive chef at Petco Carlos Vargas created two new items for the game: a Hashtag Dog featuring a hot dog, tempura butter, club soda and shredded potato, and ASG Michelada drink with Estrella beer, poached shrimp, lime, habanero pepper, Clamato juice, lime juice and tajin spice.

Given the fresh fish in the area, items also include mahi mahi tacos and Ahi tuna poke stuffed avocado.