MLB All-Star Game: Will National League Start Its Own Winning Streak?

The 2011 MLB All-Star game will take place on July 12 in Phoenix, Arizona. Last year, the National League ended its 13 game losing streak with a 3-1 victory over the American League. 

Will the National League begin its own win streak this year? 

People obviously care more about the Home Run Derby, but the actual All-Star game is quite entertaining. With such big stars, it's going to be a close game. 

It won't be easy for the National League, especially if Justin Verlander is named the starting pitcher. He is supposed to pitch the Sunday before, which would mean he wouldn't be able to go for the game. 

However, Detroit Tigers manager Jim Leyland may switch around his lineup so that the American League will feature a pitcher catcher duo from the same team. 

Verlander has been unstoppable this year winning 11 games with a 2.32 ERA. A strong pitching staff that consists of guys like Josh Beckett, Felix Hernandez, Jered Weaver, David Price and James Shields will join him.

The National League does feature some power that gives them an excellent shot at winning for a second straight year. Brian McCann, the hero from the 2010 MLB All-Star game, Prince Fielder, Lance Berkman, Matt Kemp, and Rickie Weeks are all guys capable of going deep on every swing. 

The American league offense consists of Jose Bautista, who leads the majors in home runs, as well as Josh Hamilton, Robinson Cano, David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez and my first half AL MVP Adrian Gonzalez. 

The pitching staff for the National League is just as strong if not stronger than the American League. Roy Halladay, Cliff Lee, Jair Jurjens, Cole Hamels, Matt Cain, Clayton Kersahw and Tim Lincecum are the headline pitchers for the NL.

Jurjens should get the start because he has the best ERA in baseball at 1.89. He is rolling right now, and a match up of Jurjens vs. Verlander would be a beauty.  

However, in the end, I give the edge to the National league. They will win a close one late in the game to make it back-to-back All-Star victories.

Their pitching is deep, which is why the NL will win.

Yes, the AL has strong pitching too, but the NL's pitching is very tough to beat right now. The AL has the better offense, but with four starters in the Home Run Derby they're going to struggle in the early going.

Look for a surprise late game clutch hit from a guy like Starlin Castro, Hunter Pence or Jay Bruce.