After hitting 28 home runs up until a week away from the 2011 MLB All Star game, Toronto Blue Jays’ slugger Jose Bautista will lead his American League side into the summer classic looking to get them back on track. The AL conceded their first All Star game in 14 years with a 3-1 loss in 2010, but with a powerful order led by the reigning home run king, they should be able to get back in the sports betting win column.
2011 MLB All Star Game
American League vs. National League
Tuesday July 12, 2011 – 8:00 PM ET
MLB Betting Odds: American League - 110
Bautista leads the top-three home run hitters so far in 2011 on the American League side, with New York Yankees’ teammates Mark Teixeira and Curtis Granderson right on his heels, and heading to Arizona as two of the five pinstripes’ players that will start.
MLB Betting Preview: American League
With David Ortiz and Adrian Gonzalez of the Boston Red Sox also among the starters named, the AL side has a decisively East division flavor. All but two of the starters are from the AL East, with Detroit Tigers’ catcher Alex Avila and reigning AL MVP Josh Hamilton of the Texas Rangers in the outfield. The AL might not have the big name pitching staff of its league rivals, but there is much more power in their order, and they should have no problem crushing some long sports betting bonus balls with Bautista leading the way.
MLB Betting Preview: National League
The National League has become known for its complete-game dominance, and the Philadelphia Phillies are a big reason for it. That is illustrated in the fact that the Phillies will send three starting pitchers to the All Star game in reigning NL Cy Young award winner Roy Halladay, Cole Hamels, and Cliff Lee. All three of those pitchers could be the ace of nearly any team in this league, and the fact that all three come from Philadelphia is a big reason why they have dominated the NL in 2011. A couple of top hitters that those pitchers are very familiar with have been among the best in baseball in Atlanta Braves’ catcher Brian McCann, and New York Mets’ shortstop Jose Reyes, whose month of June showed everyone why he has long been considered one of the most dangerous hitters in the MLB.
MLB Betting Preview: Outlook & Pick
As far as the home run derby is considered, consider it to be in the books. The All Star game is a little different, but the AL has enough arms that they should be able to take care of the NL order, and as Bautista showed in the Blue Jays’ series against the Phillies last weekend, he is more than capable of going yard against both Halladay and Lee. The AL has dominated this midsummer classic for years, and in 2011 they will return to the top.
MLB Betting Pick: American League - 110
