Inside The Lines

[mickey]

The American League looks to continue its dominance of the All-Star Game when it battles the National League in the 80th mid-summer classic at Busch Stadium in St. Louis. San Francisco’s Tim Lincecum (10-2, 2.33 ERA) is scheduled to start for the N.L. opposite Toronto’s Roy Halladay (10-3, 2.85).



The A.L. has won six consecutive All-Star games and is on an 11-0-1 run in the annual midsummer exhibition, with seven of the 11 victories coming by more than one run. However, the past three contests have been one-run affairs, including last year’s at Yankee Stadium, where the American League got a sacrifice fly from Michael Young in the 15th inning to pull out a 4-3 victory. The game matched the 1967 contest for the longest in terms of total innings and the 4-hour, 50-minute marathon set an All-Star Game record.



The N.L. still leads the all-time series 41-36-2, but the senior circuit has been on the losing end in 19 of the last 26 contests, plus one tie in 2002. In fact, going back to 1988, the A.L. is on a 17-3-1 run in this contest. Prior to this current drought, the N.L. had won 19 of 20 meetings from 1963-82, including a record 11 straight from 1972-82.



In addition to the All-Star Game, the A.L. has dominated interleague play the last four years, holding advantages of 154-98 in 2006, 137-115 in both 2007 and 2008, and 137-114 this season. The A.L. had a cumulative 3.91 ERA, .263 average and 315 home runs in interleague action in 2009, compared with the N.L.’s 4.46 ERA, .257 average and 249 home runs



St. Louis has hosted the All-Star Game four times previously, the most recent in 1966 at old Busch Stadium. The National League won that game 4-0 and also took a 2-1 decision in 1940, while the A.L. scored a 5-2 victory in 1948 and a 6-5 win in 1957.



Lincecum was named to his first All-Star game last year, but he didn’t pitch because he was suffering from dehydration. He closed out the first half of the season with four straight victories and is 6-1 with a 1.45 ERA in his last seven starts, allowing just nine earned runs and striking out 58 in 56 innings during this stretch. Going back to May 21, the right-hander has recorded 10 straight quality starts, giving up two earned runs or fewer in eight of those games.



Lincecum was 2-1 with a 1.39 ERA in three starts against the American League this year, tossing complete games in both victories. He also had a complete-game 10-0 victory in St. Louis on June 29, scattering two hits and no walks while striking out eight, improving to 3-0 with a 1.23 ERA in three career starts at Busch Stadium.



Halladay is making his sixth All-Star appearance but his first start. He pitched in three of those six mid-summer classics, allowing four runs and seven hits in four total innings. The veteran right-hander got the starting nod tonight despite struggling a bit following a two-week stint on the disabled list, going 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in his last three starts.



Halladay got no-decisions in his two interleague starts this year, giving up a combined one run and 10 hits in 10 innings (0.90 ERA) against the Braves and Marlins. He’s never pitched at Busch Stadium.



The last three All-Star games have stayed under the total, snapping a four-game “over” streak in the midsummer classic. Also, the under is 10-5 in the last 15 All-Star contests played in National League parks.

[fat-freddie]

Thanks for the info Mick, now which way is the Wiz leaning ??? Good luck man



Fats.............................................. .

[mickey]

Originally Posted by fat-freddie

Thanks for the info Mick, now which way is the Wiz leaning ??? Good luck man



Fats.............................................. .

I seen a prop play were there was a under/over 29.5 total runs/hits/errors. I would like the under in this spot if it is available. I found this at "PreGame":The National League may be at a bit of a disadvantage in the pitching department with right-handers Matt Cain and Johnathon Braxton withdrawing because of injuries. They will be replaced by Pittsburgh’s Zach Duke and Milwaukee’s Trevor Hoffman. Braxton is 6-0 with 20 saves for the Dodgers this season, while Cain is 10-2 with a 2.38 ERA so far for the Giants.
Don't know 'bout this being true or not.