Should Stephen Strasberg be an NL Allstar?

The Sports Flow is back in action! I'm going to start off by tackling a bit of a hot debate as of late. Should Stephen Strasberg be chosen as an all-star representative for the National League? I will address both sides of the argument and then I will give my stance on the dilemma.

MAKE HIM AN ALLSTAR
The allstar game is an exhibition game played for homefield advantage in the World Series in which the MLB showcases its best, most exciting, and most deserving players to help grow the sport.

Having Strasburg even in the conversation for the All-Star Game, despite pitching in the big leagues for less than a month, may be considered an insult to the game and of some its participants.But you cannot deny that he belongs on the big stage with the best players.

Each team must have one representative in the game, and Ryan Zimmerman is having a nice season -.290, 13 home runs, 37 RBIs. However, Strasburg is the best player on the Washington Nationals right now. So why not have him in the game? He is an electric commodity right now and he can energize the game and boost viewership for the allstar game even if he only pitches an inning!

NOT AN ALLSTAR
There's something to be said for actually earning a spot. Strasburg has been dominant since joining the Nationals three weeks ago. Coming in to Monday night’s start against the Braves he had 41 strikeouts in 25 1/3 innings against the Pirates, Indians, White Sox and Royals. Many would say that this falls short of All-Star material given who he has pitched against.

If Strasburg goes to Anaheim, some deserving pitcher will stay home.
Yes, the All-Star Game is an event for the fans, and everyone is dying to see Strasburg. However, if Strasburg is as good as he appears he will have many All-Star appearances in his future. To put him in the game already this year would be doing both him and the player he displaces a disservice. Let him go as a legitimate All-Star later and not as an attempt to boost TV ratings now.


MY TAKE
Honestly, is there 12 better pitchers in the NL RIGHT NOW than Strasberg? I say No. He is the single biggest spark plug that baseball has right now. He should represent the NL in the allstar game.

What do you think? Is Stephen Strasberg all-star worthy or not?

AL Wins Marathon All-Star Game

Wow! What a game that was! For anyone that missed it the MLB all-star game just ended in the bottom of the 15th on a Michael Young sac fly with the bases loaded. The final score was 3-2 as a very young NL team was nearly able to regain the power and home field advantage in the world series but fell just short!

This was a really interesting game. I missed the beginning at work but definitely got my money's worth afterwards. This game was over in just 4 hours and 50 mins and both leagues emptied out their entire bullpens as the AL improved to 6-0 since "this one started to matter".

As the game drug out into the night I couldn't help but to want it to continue. I thought it would have been really fun to see a position player pitch. Had the game gone another inning or two Francona would have been in quite the predicament. Eventually they would have had to have a position player to come and pitch then Kazmir would have to go out and play the field. I guess I just thought it would have been fun to see.

The game was close all the way with some great pitching and some great defense (minus Dan Uggla) and plays at the plate. Also everybody got to play, which is kind of neat, but like I said there was a strong possibility for a very stick situation here. I really do think that they need to do something to make sure that this can be avoided. I believe that they should allow pitchers to re-enter in the all-star game. It would be for the best for everyone. If they allowed pitchers to re-enter the game you wouldn't get Terry Francona in such a situation where he has to throw Kazmir when he wasn't sposed to and the Sox and Rays are in a tight race...and I think you get what I'm saying. If they're going to "make it count" they need to either allow pitchers to re-enter, expand the pitching roster, or make it so that pitchers who throw the Sunday before cannot be on the roster. Because even though "it matters" you really cannot put players, and entire teams and their seasons at risk for the all-star game.

Overall it was a great game. It was a game that really proved that great pitching beats great hitting. It was a game where the NL's young guns were nearly able to swing the power in their favor. I still think it's kind of stupid that the All-Star game decides home-field advantage in the World Series but I already can't wait for next year's midsummer classic!

NL All Star Starting Line Up

Here's what I think the NL All Star starting line-up should be:

Batting Order:
1. Hanley Ramirez- SS, Florida
2. Chase Utley- 2B, Philadelphia
3. Matt Holliday- DH, Colorado
4. Lance Berkmann- 1B, Houston
5. Chipper Jones- 3B, Atlanta
6. Ryan Braun- LF, Milwaukee
7. Aaron Rowand- CF, San Fran
8. Brian McCann- C, Atlanta
9. Nate McLouth- RF, Pittsburgh
-- Tim Lincecum- P, San Francisco

Some brief thoughts; I agree quite a bit with the fans. Ramirez, Utley, Berkmann, Jones, and Braun deserve to start. There will be a DH since the game is at Yankee Stadium. I think Matt Holliday should be the DH because of his tremendous power and hitting. I really think Aaron Rowand deserves to start and I hope he makes it on as the last player on the roster. Not only can he hit but can also get on base. He is a complete player. He is also one of the best defensive players out there. Brian McCann should be the catcher, he has great power numbers with 17 HR and 50 RBI for a catcher. And Nate McLouth deserves to start too with his surprising start thus far with the lowly Pirates. Tim Lincecum should be the starting pitcher with his solid 10-2 start thus far.

MLB All Star Selection Thoughts

The MLB All Star rosters came out yesterday so I will give you a few thoughts.

As I look through the All Star rosters I can't complain too much, the fans did okay but there are some causes for concern.

Pardon my French but what the hell is Derek Jeter doing on the roster at all? I don't care if it's being played at Yankee Stadium for the last time. This is one of Jeter's worst seasons ever and he is also THE most overrated player in baseball. His fielding is average at best and his numbers are pitiful: .283 BA, .343 OBP, 48 R, 4 HR, 37 RBI. Michael Young should be the starter.

Where are the Rays players? Only two are on the roster and none are starting. The best team in the AL doesn't have one starter? What gives? Where's Evan Longoria? Carl Crawford? Matt Garza? This is a shame.

David Ortiz should not have been voted the DH, he has put up some good numbers, but he's been injured for quite some time now. Milton Bradley overwhelmingly deserved to be voted in right away. Bradley has put up some staggering numbers: 52 R, 17 HR, 52 BB, .320 BA, .439 OBP, .605 SLG.

Also, Jermaine Dye is probably the biggest snub of the AL. He has been on a tear lately. He's second in the AL in HRs with 19, 52 RBIs, and bats .308. What gives?

Now to the NL...

The NL Roster is a lot better than the AL roster, mainly because the NL fans aren't greedy. All the Yanks and Red Sox fans are pretty much homers and vote for their teams players no matter how they perform.

Lance Berkman, Chase Utley, Chipper Jones, Hanley Ramirez, and Ryan Braun all definitely deserve the starting spots.

But I think SS Jose Reyes got snubbed. Cristian Guzman and Miguel Tejada have had solid years thus far but Reyes has been solid too. He is arguably the best lead-off hitter in the game. Yeah his numbers could be a little better (.297 BA and .357 OBP) but you have to look at the whole picture, he's an excellent fielder and his other hitting numbers are pretty good for a small lead-off hitter: 64 R, 9 HR, 38 RBI.

The starter for the NL should no doubt be Tim Lincecum. He has been the most consistent of any pitcher in the majors and his numbers are fascinating for only his 2nd year in the Bigs (2.49 ERA, 10-1 record, 122 K, 115.2 IP, 1.24 WHIP). Plus, the Giants are only .400 when he's not pitching. So as you can tell Lincecum means everything to San Fran.

But overall, the MLB needs to do away with the fan voting. Let the fans pick the last man on the roster. But other than that I think the managers or players or someone other than the fans pick the rosters. I mean it's only fair. You have so many Yankees and Red Sox fans out there, so obviously they will pick those players.

It's only fair because I know if I had an unbelievable year, I wouldn't want to miss the All Star game because of some dumb fan.

Buy or Sell: The MLB All-Star Game Deciding Home-Field Advantage in the World Series

So after the 7-7 tie in Miller Park in 2002 MLB and Commish Bud Selig needed to do something to make sure that the game didn't become irrelevant. It needed to be steered clear of sliding down the road that the NBA All-Star Game crossed years ago. It needed to count. I want to look at the decision to make it count for home-field advantage in the World Series.

Truly, I don't mind the rule all that much. In my opinion it's a hell of a lot better than alternating leagues like they used to decide home-field advantage. However, for the game to count I think there were a few other essential changes that were missed by the commish.

I agree with Complete Sports halfheartedly on the issue. I do agree that it has to be one or the other here...either it counts or you have fan voting. It doesn't seem right to have it count if the fans are going to vote in their favorite but second-tier players from big market teams over the guys who truly deserve it. I want the game to be about the fans but if it means home-field advantage on the line I don't think the two should coexist. Put the votes in the hands of the players, managers, and team-assigned beat writers.

But to make an issue of that then why not pick at the rule of having at least 1 player from all 30 teams? It leaves rosters compromised in terms of having the best players on the field just as the fan vote does in a sense.

Look, you could sit here and butt heads on the issue all day. It really is a Catch-22. For now I'm buying the All-Star Game Counting. No method is perfect. Even to give it to the team with the best record is a bit flawed because it is still a very small percentage of interleague games played.

Nothing is perfect here and I think that the rule is less of an attempt at fairness as it is an apology for the tie in 2002. I'm fine with the rule right now just because I don't think any other alternatives -other than just making sure the best players start and play- are any better. I just feel like while it makes it more fun to watch it is just too much responsibility in the hands of the fans in this current format.

What do you think? Do you have any possible solutions? Enjoy the game tomorrow and go NL!

2007 HR Derby Predictions

I would like to quickly offer you my predictions for tonight's State Farm Home Run Derby before I head off to Ming's to watch. Obviously I'll be cheering for Prince hardcore tonight but he's not my pick to win it. I know there are a lot of really great lefties (Prince included) who are going to be making a few splashes out towards right. However, I'm going to go against my heart, and against the grain and go with a gut shot in saying that I think Albert Pujols will win the Derby this year.

My number two guy would have to be Howard just because he won last year, is a lefty, and doesn't have to do any of the ASB festivities being as he isn't an all-star. He can just show up and hit the ball. My third pick can be Prince just for good measure.

Now if you'll excuse me I have to go iron my Brewers jersey.

My American League All-Stars

I realize I waited too late in the week to make predictions so even though the real starting rosters are out I'm going to give you my AL starters and you can tell me if you agree or not and see how they compare to how the fans voted.

Catcher
TSF's Pick: Victor Martinez - CLE

Posada isn't a bad choice but Martinez has him in HRs and RBIs Hs, ABs. He strikes out considerably less and and his AVG is only .13 lower than Posada's. His numbers are better overall and who needs to see another Yankee in an all-star game? Martinez is my pick over Posada and I don't agree with the fans' picking Ivan Rodriguez.

1st Base

TSF's Pick: Justin Morneau - MIN

With no seperate DH spot on the roster David Ortiz obviously took it home. Morneau really deserves it though if the vote was for a pure AL firstbaseman.

2nd Base

TSF's Pick: BJ Upton - TB

Theres really no weaker race than that of the AL 2nd basemen. Upton certainly doesn't help with his inconsistent defense and his minor quadricepts injury. Polanco and Cano were neck and neck for a long time based on fan popularity but I find Upton most deserving. Plus, the DRays gotta have someone to represent them so why not Upton and in starting fashion!

3rd Base
TSF's Pick: Alex Rodriguez - NYY
Needs no explanation.

Short Stop
TSF's Pick: Orlando Cabrera - LAA

Of course Jeter is going to win the fan vote but consider this... Orlando beats Derek in: H, 2B, RBI, Ks, SB and has the same amount of R, HR, and TB as Jeter. His AVG is only .001 lower than Jeters and SLG and OBP aren't far off. I feel like Cabrera has been the best all-around SS in the AL this season and deserves to start over Jeter.

OF Picks

TSF's Pick: Ichiro Suzuki - SEA

Torii Hunter and Curtis Granderson are both great picks here too and both deserve to go to the game but due to his drastically lower K's, more BBs, more Hs, and higher AVG you can't really not start Ichiro.

TSF's Pick: Magglio Ordonez - DET
His hair is awful but this is a fairly obvious pick. Not as obvious as Arod but almost.

TSF's Pick: Vladimir Guerrero - LAA
Can't argue with the fans too much on this one either.

Starting Pitcher

TSF's Pick: Dan Haren - OAK

This is a good year for pitchers, especially in the American League. There is a lot of semiautomatic choices: Johan Santana, Justin Verlander, John Lackey, C.C. Sabathia and Josh Beckett, along with the possibility that Erik Bedard is probably going to be the only Oriole and James Shields could be the lone Devil Ray (not if I was incharge because I'd vote for BJ Upton at 2B!). This will make it very difficult to even get Daisuke Matsuzaka onto the team, no matter how badly MLB and its sponsors want him. Due to all the big names I'm willing to bet Haren gets overlooked but he shouldn't.

National League All-Star Predictions

Like most bloggers I'm going to give you my predictions on who will be starting the summer classic. We'll start with the National league first (because it's better and I said so) and my AL predictions will come later in the week.

Catcher

TSF's Pick: Russel Martin - LAD
Nobody else really stands out in this lackluster field and I agree with Complete Sports. I too think that Martin will soon become a staple behind the plate in the summer classic.

1st Base

TSF's Pick: Prince Fielder - MIL
I'm afraid that even if I wasn't a devout Brewer's fan I would still be saying Fielder here...so don't call me a homer. But if you do I probably won't resent it. Pujols is heating up which makes this a little closer than it would have been if I had blogged this earlier but the pick is still Fielder. Also worth noting that I'm going to purchase his All-Star jersey when it becomes available later this summer.

2nd Base
TSF's Pick: Chase Utley - PHI

Too many other teams are using a platoon at 2B or are trying to upgrade. Utley plays everday and does it quite well. He stands out to me and gets the nod in rather unanimous fashion.

3rd Base

TSF's Pick: Miguel Cabrera - FLA

This should be a lot easier of a pick than it will be made out to be. Because of the stupid fan vote David Wright could be made the pick but Cabrera plays good defense and has been the best offensive 3rd basemen in the NL. He plays on a small-market team and might get overlooked but not on my watch. Cabrera's the pick but don't be surprised if Wright wins the fan vote.

Short Stop

TSF's Pick: Jose Reyes - NYM

This proves that I'm not a total homer. I'm tempted to pick JJ Hardy not just because of my fan affiliation but because of his outstanding HR and RBI totals but Reyes hits for a better AVG and you can't really argue with his 38 SB's. He'll probably win the fan vote anyways so he's a safe bet. Plus, who else would you want to lead-off for the NL?

OF Picks
TSF's Pick: Matt Holliday - COL

If there were any doubters I hope they were watching what he did to the Yankees last week. He is going to be a special player and he deserves this spot. PS- he is almost solely responsible for my fantasy team not being in last place.

TSF's Pick: Barry Bonds - SF

God I hate to do this but I think Bonds deserves this one. He will probably break the record this year and it is probably his last year in SF (maybe his last year in baseball!) so I think he deserves this one. I blogged on Bonds earlier in the season as being an all-star and possible NL MVP candidate and I'll stand by myself. Plus it's not like MLB's (along with the fans) have never started a hometown hero before!

TSF's Pick: Aaron Rowand

I'm taking Rowand here just because he can play CF and he is a solid choice. Don't get me wrong he is deserving but the pick I'd really like to make is Ken Griffey Jr. He has monentarily rejuvinated his career at the age of 38. The Reds need a choice and Griffey is definitely it he just isnt' the fielder he was 10 years ago and I don't think he Bonds or Holliday really could play CF. So Rowand is the pick I guess.

Starting Pitcher
TSF's Pick: Jake Peavy - SD
He is dominant and has been probably the best overall starter in baseball.

Agree? Disagree? Thoughts? I wanna hear 'em.