Sports betting baseball odds list the National League as an underdog in the 81st annual Major League Baseball All-Star game. The NL is trying to break a 12-game losing streak in online sports betting odds to the American League and they have some very good starters on their roster.
Sports betting handicappers always notice Albert Pujols when he is on the field and he leads the National League. He will be making his 9th All-Star game appearance and received the most votes of any player on the roster. He is joined by teammate Yadier Molina. Chase Utley of the Phillies made his 5th All-Star game but he will not play due to injury. Other starters on the NL team are New York’s David Wright, Florida’s Hanley Ramirez, Milwaukee’s Ryan Braun, Atlanta’s Jason Heyward and Los Angeles outfielder Andre Ethier. It is possible that Heyward will not play due to injury.
The starting lineup for the National League is not that impressive other than Pujols but the pitching staff is loaded. They are led by Colorado’s Ubaldo Jimenez and the St. Louis duo of Adam Wainwright and Chris Carpenter. The pitching talent on the National League is really phenomenal as they have Philadelphia’s Roy Halladay, two-time National League Cy Young winner Tim Lincecum of the Giants, Florida’s Josh Johnson, Milwaukee’s Yovani Gallardo, Los Angeles reliever Jonathan Broxton, Washington’s Matt Capps, Atlanta’s Tim Hudson, Pittsburgh’s Evan Meek, Cincinnati’s Arthur Rhodes and San Francisco’s Brian Wilson. Pitching could be the one edge that the National League has over the American League but it still might not be enough to get the win vs. the sports betting odds
The reserves for the National League may actually be better than the starters other than Pujols. Reserves include San Diego’s Adrian Gonzalez, Philadelphia’s Ryan Howard, Atlanta’s Brian McCann, Omar Infante and Martin Prado, Colorado’s Troy Tulowitzki, New York’s Jose Reyes, Cincinnati’s Brandon Phillips and Scott Rolen, Houston’s Michael Bourn, Chicago’s Marlon Byrd, Milwaukee’s Corey Hart, Arizona’s Chris Young and St. Louis’ Matt Holliday. One player missing from the list is Washington rookie sensation Stephen Strasburg. He was given consideration but not chosen by Phillies manager Charlie Manuel.
The All-Star game in Anaheim will be played on July 13th and will have the National League as solid underdogs in baseball sports betting.