2011 All-Star Game Betting Odds

Betting Odds

Moneyline: National League (-122)
Game Total Line: 8.5 (-105)
Run Line: American League +1.5 (-210)
(wagering lines available at 5Dimes)

The American League All-Stars and the National League All-Stars renew an annual tradition this Tuesday night with the playing of the Midsummer Classic at Chase Field in Phoenix Arizona. Game time is set for 8 p.m. (ET) and it will be broadcast nationally on FOX.

The American League has dominated this game in recent years with a 12-1-1 record dating all the way back to 1997. Last year, the NL snapped a seven-game losing streak by handing the AL a 3-1 loss which was the first time the American League scored less than three runs since getting shutout 6-0 in 1996.

This year’s crop of AL All-Stars includes Boston’s Adrian Gonzalez, who leads the league with 77 RBI. He will be joined by Jose Bautista of Toronto, who has belted an AL-best 31 home runs this season. Some of the more familiar faces in the lineup include Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera, New York’s Robinson Cano, Texas’s Josh Hamilton, and Tampa Bay’s Matt Joyce.

AL skipper Ron Washington has named Jered Weaver as the starter for his team. The Angels right-hander is 11-4 this season with an incredible ERA of just 1.86. Some of the other pitchers on the AL roster include the Red Sox’s Josh Beckett, the Rangers’ C.J. Wilson, and the A’s Gio Gonzalez.

The National League will look to make it two victories in-a-row for the first time since winning three straight All-Star Games from 1994 to 1996. The Midsummer Classic has been played 81 times with the NL having the slight edge at 41-38-2. You no longer have to worry about a tie as the rule was changed after the league caught a ton of grief for allowing a 7-7 tie in 2002. Since then, this game has taken on new meaning with the winning league securing home field advantage for the World Series.

The NL lineup will feature Prince Fielder of Milwaukee and Ryan Howard of Philadelphia, who are both tied atop the league in RBI with 72. St. Louis outfielder Lance Berkman has been named a starter. He currently leads the NL in home runs with 24. Some of the other starters include the Dodgers’ Matt Kemp, the Braves Brian McCann, and the Reds’ Scott Rolen.

Bruce Bochy, who will be managing the National League squad has named Philadelphia ‘ace’ Roy Halladay as his starter for this game. Halladay is having another Cy Young type season with 11 wins against just three losses in 19 starts. He has a 1.02 WHIP and an ERA of 2.45. Some of the other pitchers expected to see action in this game include the Giants’ Tim Lincecum, the Dodgers’ Clayton Kershaw, and the Braves Jonny Venters.

MLB Betting Pick

Despite the fact that the AL has dominated this game over the past several years, the NL remains the slight favorite. In looking at the power available for both teams, you would have to give the nod to the National League playing in a hitter’s park such as Chase Field to come away with the win. Take the National league -122 at 5Dimes and get reduced Juice and 5 Cent MLB Overnight Lines!!