2010 MLB All Star Game Starting Lineups

By James Sheldon on July 13th, 2010

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The 2010 MLB All Star Game will be played under perfect weather in the incomparable city of Anaheim. Oh, how I love the Midsummer Classic.

Sure, being a Cardinals fan, I love the National League–yet my love affair with the NL is going to wane significantly if they can’t right the ship this season. The National League has been absolutely dominated by the AL over the past stretch of 13 seasons. The closest the National League has come to winning was during the year of nonsense when Bud Selig allowed the game to end in a tie. That was in 2002.

The games have been tight for the past few, and everyone is looking for defensive domination tonight, in this “Year of the Pitcher.” So, what should we expect? An offensive explosion? Nah. Such a result would be highly improbable.

Then again, some of these guys who started ridiculously hot have been a little hot and cold as of late–even the Rockies untouchable Ubaldo Jimenez has given up a fair share of long balls over the past few weeks…but only after having the flu. He was lights out last week. Dang. This could be a dandy. There’s just no way to tell what might happen in this game.

Regardless, Jimenez be squaring off against Tampa Bay’s David Price, the fire-baller who has been equally as untouchable in 2010.

The Starting Lineups for the 81st MLB All Star Game:

National League

1. Hanley Ramirez – Florida Marlins – SS
2. Martin Prado – Atlanta Braves – 2B
3. Albert Pujols – St. Louis Cardinals – 1B
4. Ryan Howard – Philadelphia Phillies – DH
5. David Wright – New York Mets – 3B
6. Ryan Braun – Milwaukee Brewers – LF
7. Andre Ethier – Los Angeles Dodgers – CF
8. Corey Hart – Milwaukee Brewers – RF
9. Yadier Molina – St. Louis Cardinals – C

American League

1. Ichiro Suzuki – Seattle Mariners – RF
2. Derek Jeter – New York Yankees – SS
3. Miguel Cabrera – Detroit Tigers – 1B
4. Josh Hamilton – Texas Rangers – CF
5. Vladimir Guerrero – Texas Rangers – DH
6. Evan Longoria – Tampa Bay Rays – 3B
7. Joe Mauer – Minnesota Twins – C
8. Robinson Cano – New York Yankees – 2B
9. Carl Crawford – Tampa Bay Rays – LF

The last two All Star contests have been decided by as many runs. It seems like the NL is way overdue. I like Albert Pujols to step up tonight. The pressure is off, there was no competing in the HR Derby–no having to play ambassador for the host city. And if my prediction is as accurate as my derby prediction, he’ll strike out twice and have 3 errors in the field.

I think the key to the game is the man with one name: Ichiro. If the NL can keep him off the bases, I think they’ll finally claim victory. If not, I have a feeling they’ll be playing from behind all night.

The action begins with the traditional Pre-game ceremonies at 8E/5PDT, to be followed by the 81st Annual MLB All Star Game. You can catch the action on Fox.

(Image via: NY Daily News)