The Filibuster
Any predictions for the All-Star Game?
Alice
Highland, IN
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I was all set to write a response about “King Bud” and how he had perverted the fun of the All-Star game. But then I realized something. The All-Star game still is fun and especially for the guys getting picked to go for the first time, it has to be an amazing experience. Sure, the game counts now and in a way that doesn’t really make sense. But that’s secondary. These are arguably the best players in baseball split up into two squads going head to head. That’s pretty awesome.But even though this event is about leagues as opposed to teams, I can’t help being biased toward my own guys. That’s why my predictions revolve around the Tigers. (Please note that I’m writing this on Friday evening so anything that happens between now and Sunday, when it goes up, well, it can be held against me but not in an ignorant kind of fashion.)
Prediction #1: Justin Verlander starts the game for the AL
Sure, even Verlander himself has said that the start in this year’s game should be based on this year’s events. Maybe he hasn’t been as dominant this year as he was in his 2011 campaign but I’m pretty sure there’s still no hitter in either league that enjoys the thought of going up against JV. More than that, Verlander has been practically unhittable for NL opponents with the best outings of his career coming against the NL. If you want to start the game out on the right foot, put JV on the mound.
Prediction #2: Prince Fielder wins the home run derby
The guy is a monster talent and a monster plain and simple. He’s also starting to rediscover the form he had starting off the season as he settles in behind Cabrera. Put it all together with the start at first base for the AL squad and you have a Fielder ready to explode. He won’t set a new record but he’s going to win.
Prediction #3: Miguel Cabrera wins MVP
There’s a lot of amazing talent on this year’s rosters and no shortage of candidates for MVP. But something inside of me says that this is Miggy’s year and he comes up huge. I’m thinking a three-run home run to bring the AL back from a 2-1 deficit to a 4-2 lead.
Prediction #4: Mr. Lung disagrees with everything I just predicted
There are optimists. There are pessimists. And there’s Mr. Lung. Mr. Lung’s goal in life is to take the opposite view on everything I say. It’s a noble objective even if it does mean that Mr. Lung is wrong a good percentage of the time. Seriously, woolen stirrup pants on Houston Astros? I don’t like the Astros either but let’s just admit that breathable synthetics have been good for the game. To be fair, I don’t think it’s so much about being right or wrong for Mr. Lung as it is about the act of disagreeing. It’s rebellious. You know, like listening to Marilyn Manson.
So, enjoy the All-Star break and pay attention to see how many of these predictions come true. And if you catch one of Prince’s derby balls, feel free to send it my way.
-A
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As a fellow Tigers fan, I hope you’re right, Al! I still think the All-Star Game is fun, too, as it just reminds me of watching it as a kid.
–Mike