American League vs. National League

2012 MLB All-Star Game: Revenge of the AL.

Last year marked the first time in more than a decade that the National League defeated the American League in baseball's midsummer classic. This season the AL is looking to take back the crown. With home field advantage up for grabs again, the game still "counts" and getting four games with a DH is just a bit of extra incentive for the stars of the American League.

July 10, 2012 - FINAL

American League 0

National League 8

14 Storylines

Justin Verlander will throw no more than 20 pitches

The reigning Cy Young award winner and American League MVP (and now five-time All-Star) is getting the ball for the start of the game this year.
- Robert Leskowsky guessed Right
- Kyle F. guessed Wrong
- slamminsam guessed Wrong
- Jeff Cormier guessed Right
- DrJeff guessed Right
- Onig guessed Wrong
- David guessed Wrong
- Mike Carlucci guessed Wrong
35 pitches
Joey Votto will hit at least 1 double

Votto leads the league in doubles with 35 and walks with 65.
- DrJeff guessed Right
- Robert Leskowsky guessed Wrong
- Kyle F. guessed Wrong
- Jeff Cormier guessed Right
- Norm Ginsberg guessed Right
- Onig guessed Wrong
- slamminsam guessed Right
- David guessed Right
- Mike Carlucci guessed Wrong
0 2B
Mike Trout will steal at least 1 base

The spiritual successor to Tim Salmon, Mike Trout is on his way to Rookie of the Year and maybe MVP as well: .341/.397/.562 with 26 steals - and he didn't get called up until the end of April!
- David guessed Right
- Robert Leskowsky guessed Right
- Norm Ginsberg guessed Wrong
- Kyle F. guessed Right
- Jeff Cormier guessed Right
- DrJeff guessed Wrong
- Onig guessed Wrong
- slamminsam guessed Wrong
- Mike Carlucci guessed Right
1 stolen basis
Matt Cain will strike out at least 3 batters

Cain, in the midst of a dominant season, is posting career highs: 8.8 K/9, 4.92 K:BB. He'll probably get 2 innings to show the American League how it's done.
- Mike Carlucci guessed Wrong
- David guessed Wrong
- Robert Leskowsky guessed Wrong
- Kyle F. guessed Right
- Jeff Cormier guessed Right
- DrJeff guessed Right
- Norm Ginsberg guessed Right
- Onig guessed Wrong
- slamminsam guessed Right
- Joseph Dineen guessed Right
1 K
Chipper Jones will have at least 1 hit

Chipper Jones is making his eighth and final All-Star appearance. In his last year, Jones is still putting up numbers: .318/.396/.480. He's missed some time with injuries, but he's going out on top.
- David guessed Right
- Robert Leskowsky guessed Right
- Norm Ginsberg guessed Wrong
- Kyle F. guessed Right
- Jeff Cormier guessed Wrong
- DrJeff guessed Wrong
- Onig guessed Wrong
- slamminsam guessed Wrong
- Mike Carlucci guessed Right
1 H
Billy Butler will walk at least 1 time

Butler, the lone Kansas City Royal on the All-Star Team, should have made the roster for his nickname alone: Country Breakfast.
- David guessed Wrong
- Robert Leskowsky guessed Right
- Kyle F. guessed Wrong
- Jeff Cormier guessed Right
- DrJeff guessed Right
- Norm Ginsberg guessed Right
- Onig guessed Right
- slamminsam guessed Right
- Mike Carlucci guessed Wrong
0 BB
Bryce Harper will have at least 1 assist

Bryce Harper, at just 19 years old, becomes the youngest position player to make an All-Star Game. Ever.
- Joseph Dineen guessed Right
- Kyle F. guessed Right
- Jeff Cormier guessed Wrong
- DrJeff guessed Right
- Norm Ginsberg guessed Right
- Onig guessed Right
- slamminsam guessed Right
- David guessed Wrong
- Mike Carlucci guessed Wrong
0 assist
Jonathan Papelbon will get the save

Papelbon is arguably the best closer on the NL roster, if there's a save chance, he'll get it.
- David guessed Right
- Robert Leskowsky guessed Wrong
- Kyle F. guessed Right
- Jeff Cormier guessed Right
- DrJeff guessed Right
- slamminsam guessed Right
- Norm Ginsberg guessed Right
- Onig guessed Right
- Mike Carlucci guessed Right
0 saves
R.A. Dickey will allow at least 2 earned runs

Dickey was passed over for starting honors by Tony LaRussa. The knuckleballer has given up 5 runs in two of his last three starts after not allowing a run in 5 straight starts before that.
- Robert Leskowsky guessed Right
- Mike Carlucci guessed Wrong
- Kyle F. guessed Right
- Jeff Cormier guessed Right
- DrJeff guessed Right
- Norm Ginsberg guessed Right
- Onig guessed Right
- slamminsam guessed Right
- David guessed Wrong
0 runs
Prince Fielder will have at least 2 RBIs

Fielder was a National League All-Star last year and, unlike Albert Pujols, has emerged as a starter on the American League team this year.
- David guessed Wrong
- Robert Leskowsky guessed Wrong
- Kyle F. guessed Wrong
- Jeff Cormier guessed Right
- DrJeff guessed Right
- slamminsam guessed Right
- Norm Ginsberg guessed Right
- Onig guessed Right
- Mike Carlucci guessed Wrong
0 RBI
Mike Napoli will hit at least 1 home run

Napoli is getting a start more on reputation than performance this season, the Texas catcher's .228/.340/.419 line is a far cry from last year's .320/.414/.631. Still, he's got power.
- David guessed Right
- Robert Leskowsky guessed Right
- Kyle F. guessed Right
- Jeff Cormier guessed Right
- DrJeff guessed Right
- Norm Ginsberg guessed Right
- Onig guessed Right
- slamminsam guessed Right
- Mike Carlucci guessed Right
0 HR
Robinson Cano will hit at least 1 home run

Cano is the starting second baseman and the Captain of the AL Home Run Derby team. He's also the reigning derby champ. Will he be in a home run groove or get his swing messed up?
- David guessed Right
- Robert Leskowsky guessed Right
- Kyle F. guessed Right
- Jeff Cormier guessed Right
- DrJeff guessed Right
- Norm Ginsberg guessed Right
- Onig guessed Right
- slamminsam guessed Right
- Mike Carlucci guessed Right
0 HR
Pablo Sandoval will have no more than 2 at bats

Did Pablo Sandoval make the All-Star Team only because of his Kung Fu Panda nickname? Probably not. Probably for his .307/.362/.500 line in the first half.
- David guessed Right
- Robert Leskowsky guessed Right
- Kyle F. guessed Right
- Jeff Cormier guessed Right
- DrJeff guessed Right
- Norm Ginsberg guessed Right
- Onig guessed Right
- slamminsam guessed Right
- Mike Carlucci guessed Right
2 AB
Yu Darvish will get the win

Darvish, in his first year in America, has made the first of what could be many All-Star Game appearances. As a starter, Darvish will only get into the game in relief. If the AL takes the lead while he's on the mound though...
- David
- Robert Leskowsky
- Norm Ginsberg
- Mike Carlucci
- Kyle F.
- Jeff Cormier
- DrJeff
- Onig
- slamminsam
Yu Darvish did not play

Storylines by David on Mon, Jul 09, 2012

Game Leaderboard

1 Joseph Dineen 2-2 1.000
2 DrJeff 11-13 .846
2 Jeff Cormier 11-13 .846
4 Norm Ginsberg 10-12 .833
5 slamminsam 10-13 .769
6 Kyle F. 9-13 .692
7 Robert Leskowsky 8-12 .667
8 Onig 8-13 .615
9 David 7-13 .538
10 Mike Carlucci 6-13 .462

Leaderboards

Justin Verlander will throw no more than 20 pitches

The reigning Cy Young award winner and American League MVP (and now five-time All-Star) is getting the ball for the start of the game this year.

Joey Votto will hit at least 1 double

Votto leads the league in doubles with 35 and walks with 65.

Mike Trout will steal at least 1 base

The spiritual successor to Tim Salmon, Mike Trout is on his way to Rookie of the Year and maybe MVP as well: .341/.397/.562 with 26 steals - and he didn't get called up until the end of April!

Matt Cain will strike out at least 3 batters

Cain, in the midst of a dominant season, is posting career highs: 8.8 K/9, 4.92 K:BB. He'll probably get 2 innings to show the American League how it's done.

Chipper Jones will have at least 1 hit

Chipper Jones is making his eighth and final All-Star appearance. In his last year, Jones is still putting up numbers: .318/.396/.480. He's missed some time with injuries, but he's going out on top.

Billy Butler will walk at least 1 time

Butler, the lone Kansas City Royal on the All-Star Team, should have made the roster for his nickname alone: Country Breakfast.

Bryce Harper will have at least 1 assist

Bryce Harper, at just 19 years old, becomes the youngest position player to make an All-Star Game. Ever.

Jonathan Papelbon will get the save

Papelbon is arguably the best closer on the NL roster, if there's a save chance, he'll get it.

R.A. Dickey will allow at least 2 earned runs

Dickey was passed over for starting honors by Tony LaRussa. The knuckleballer has given up 5 runs in two of his last three starts after not allowing a run in 5 straight starts before that.

Prince Fielder will have at least 2 RBIs

Fielder was a National League All-Star last year and, unlike Albert Pujols, has emerged as a starter on the American League team this year.

Mike Napoli will hit at least 1 home run

Napoli is getting a start more on reputation than performance this season, the Texas catcher's .228/.340/.419 line is a far cry from last year's .320/.414/.631. Still, he's got power.

Robinson Cano will hit at least 1 home run

Cano is the starting second baseman and the Captain of the AL Home Run Derby team. He's also the reigning derby champ. Will he be in a home run groove or get his swing messed up?

Pablo Sandoval will have no more than 2 at bats

Did Pablo Sandoval make the All-Star Team only because of his Kung Fu Panda nickname? Probably not. Probably for his .307/.362/.500 line in the first half.

Yu Darvish will get the win

Darvish, in his first year in America, has made the first of what could be many All-Star Game appearances. As a starter, Darvish will only get into the game in relief. If the AL takes the lead while he's on the mound though...