2009 MLB All-Star Game Predictions

The Mid-Summer Classic is one of the most anticipated games in sports. Everyone loves the MLB All-Star game.

It's the time when both leagues put forth their best players and face off.

It also decides who gets home field advantage in the World Series.

One thing I would like to point out is that back in the older days, players wouldn't play only a few innings and then get taken out.

The starters would play as much as they could because the All-Star game used to be more aggressive. The players would want to win. They'd want to prove they were the best.

I'm not saying they don't want to win, but if they wanted to win, wouldn't they keep the better players in longer? Simple logic. (Maybe the National League would be able to win again!)

They just want to make everyone get equal playing time like it's Little League or something. Whatever.

Anyway, here are my predictions for the 2009 All-Star game:

(Outfield, Pitchers, and Bench are not in any order)

American League

Catcher: Joe Mauer

First Base: Kevin Youkilis

Second Base: Dustin Pedroia

Shortstop: Derek Jeter

Third Base: Evan Longoria

Outfield: Jason Bay, Ichiro, Josh Hamilton

Starting Pitcher: Roy Halladay

Bullpen: Zack Greinke, Mark Buehrle, CC Sabathia, Joe Saunders, Edwin Jackson, Tim Wakefield, Kevin Millwood, Andrew Bailey, Frank Francisco, Jonathan Papelbon, Mariano Rivera

Bench: Victor Martinez, Miguel Cabrera, Justin Morneau, Mark Teixeira, Ian Kinsler, Aaron Hill, Marco Scutaro, Michael Young, Carl Crawford, Torii Hunter, Adam Jones

National League

Catcher: Yadier Molina

First Base: Albert Pujols

Second Base: Chase Utley

Shortstop: Jimmy Rollins

Third Base: David Wright

Outfield: Raul Ibanez, Carlos Beltran, Ryan Braun

Starting Pitcher: Tim Lincecum

Bullpen: Chad Billingsley, Zach Duke, Chris Carpenter, Dan Haren, Matt Cain, Johnny Cuerto, Johan Santana, Heath Bell, Jonathan Broxton, Trevor Hoffman, Francisco Rodriguez

Bench: Russell Martin, Ryan Howard, Prince Fielder, Adrian Gonzalez, Miguel Tejada, Hanley Ramirez, Chipper Jones, Ryan Zimmerman, Brad Hawpe, Carlos Lee, Shane Victorino