SC’s MLB All-Stars

By BJ

With Yankee Stadium set to host the All-Star game in its final year on July 15, the All-Star rosters were announced Sunday. SportsCouch has compiled its own list of deserving All-Stars (with a bonus fantasy team as well).

AL

C: Joe Mauer, Min – 54 R, 4 HR, 37 RBI, .325 AVG
1B: Justin Morneau, Min – 50 R, 12 HR, 65 RBI, .310 AVG
2B: Ian Kinsler, Tex – 77 R, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 23 SB, .330 AVG
3B: Alex Rodriguez, NYY – 50 R, 17 HR, 49 RBI, 13 SB, .320 AVG
SS: Michael Young, Tex – 58 R, 7 HR, 46 RBI, 5 SB, .292 AVG
OF: Josh Hamilton, Tex – 54 R, 19 HR, 83 RBI, 4 SB, .306 AVG
OF: Carlos Quentin, CWS – 55 R, 19 HR, 61 RBI, 5 SB, .273 AVG
OF: Grady Sizemore, Cle – 56 R, 22 HR, 50 RBI, 20 SB, .266 AVG
DH: Milton Bradley, Tex – 51 R, 17 HR, 54 RBI, 4 SB, .320 AVG
SP: Justin Duchscherer, Oak – 92.0 IP, 9-5, 59 K, 1.96 ERA
SP: Cliff Lee, Cle – 113.2 IP, 11-1, 94 K, 2.22 ERA
RP: Francisco Rodriguez, LAA – 37.1 IP, 0-1, 35 K, 34 SV, 1.93 ERA
RP: Mariano Rivera, NYY – 38.1 IP, 2-3, 44 K, 23 SV, 1.17 ERA
P: Roy Halladay, Tor – 137.1 IP, 10-6, 113 K, 2.88 ERA
P: Shaun Marcum, Tor – 98.2 IP, 5-4, 86 K, 2.65 ERA
P: Joakim Soria, KC – 37.0 IP, 0-1, 41 K, 23 SV, 1.22 ERA

NL

C: Russell Martin, LAD – 47 R, 9 HR, 42 RBI, 8 SB, .306 AVG
1B: Lance Berkman, Hou – 74 R, 22 HR, 69 RBI, 12 SB, .350 AVG
2B: Chase Utley, Phi – 65 R, 24 HR, 67 RBI, 8 SB, .296 AVG
3B: Chipper Jones, Atl – 51 R, 17 HR, 48 RBI, 2 SB, .385 AVG
SS: Hanley Ramirez, Fla – 75 R, 21 HR, 43 RBI, 21 SB, .303 AVG
OF: Carlos Lee, Hou – 42 R, 19 HR, 66 RBI, 4 SB, .293 AVG
OF: Matt Holliday, Col – 49 R, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 10 SB, .342 AVG
OF: Nate McLouth, Pit – 60 R, 15 HR, 53 RBI, 9 SB, .278 AVG
DH: Albert Pujols, STL – 45 R, 18 HR, 48 RBI, 3 SB, .351 AVG
SP: Edinson Volquez, Cin – 110.2 IP, 10-3, 116 K, 2.36 ERA
SP: Tim Lincecum, SF – 115.2 IP, 10-1, 122 K, 2.49 ERA
RP: Brad Lidge, Phi – 35.0 IP, 2-0, 47 K, 19 SV, 0.77 ERA
RP: Billy Wagner, NYM – 34.0 IP, 0-1, 40 K, 19 SV, 1.85 ERA
P: Ben Sheets, Mil – 117.0 IP, 10-2, 97 K, 2.77 ERA
P: Dan Haren, Ari – 117.2 IP, 8-5, 103 K, 2.83 ERA
P: Kerry Wood, CHC – 43.1 IP, 4-2, 54 K, 22 SV, 2.91 ERA

All-Star Fantasy Squad

C: Russell Martin, LAD – 47 R, 9 HR, 42 RBI, 8 SB, .306 AVG
1B: Lance Berkman, Hou – 74 R, 22 HR, 69 RBI, 12 SB, .350 AVG
2B: Ian Kinsler, Tex – 77 R, 14 HR, 53 RBI, 23 SB, .330 AVG
3B: Chipper Jones, Atl – 51 R, 17 HR, 48 RBI, 2 SB, .385 AVG
SS: Hanley Ramirez, Fla – 75 R, 21 HR, 43 RBI, 21 SB, .303 AVG
OF: Josh Hamilton, Tex – 54 R, 19 HR, 83 RBI, 4 SB, .306 AVG
OF: Grady Sizemore, Cle – 56 R, 22 HR, 50 RBI, 20 SB, .266 AVG
OF: Matt Holliday, Col – 49 R, 13 HR, 49 RBI, 10 SB, .342 AVG
DH: Chase Utley, Phi – 65 R, 24 HR, 67 RBI, 8 SB, .296 AVG
SP: Cliff Lee, Cle – 113.2 IP, 11-1, 94 K, 2.22 ERA
SP: Roy Halladay, Tor – 137.1 IP, 10-6, 113 K, 2.88 ERA
RP: Mariano Rivera, NYY – 38.1 IP, 2-3, 44 K, 23 SV, 1.17 ERA
RP: Jonathan Papelbon, Bos – 37.0 IP, 3-2, 47 K, 25 SV, 2.19 ERA
P: Dan Haren, Ari – 117.2 IP, 8-5, 103 K, 2.83 ERA
P: Justin Duchscherer, Oak – 92.0 IP, 9-5, 59 K, 1.96 ERA
P: Cole Hamels, Phi – 128.2 IP, 9-5, 110 K, 3.22 ERA

There’s a New King in Town

By BJ

I read a lot of ridiculous fantasy baseball notes–most of the time what people say–so I’ve decided to dedicate a section in my column to Did He Just Say That?

Jun 29 [J.J.] Putz, who suffered a setback earlier this week in his return from an elbow injury, won’t necessarily return to the closer role upon his return, the Seattle Times reports. Recommendation: Miscommunication with the training staff gave Putz the idea that he needed to throw with a different motion, which caused more soreness in his arm. He’s back to throwing normally, and the pain has stopped. – Rotowire
How do you miscommunicate over something important like that with the people you should be closest to, i.e. the training staff? Well, I guess I experience that as well with my mom from time to time, but Brandon Morrow is looking like a real sweet pickup now.

Chestnut Defends Hot Dog Belt In OT Over Kobayashi

Joey Chestnut staved off Kobayashi in a five-dog eat-off at Coney Island on Friday after the two tied with 59 hot dogs in 10 minutes, two minutes less than in previous years. I think Chestnut’s proven himself to be the new king of hot dog eating, which segues into who I believe will be the new king of tennis on Sunday.

Nadal Will Beat Federer in the Wimbledon Finals

The two beat their semifinal opponents in straight sets Friday to set up their third straight Wimbledon finals. Roger Federer, who will be going for his sixth straight Wimbledon, has not dropped a set in the entire tournament. But after coming down to Earth with unfamiliar losses in tournaments earlier this year and Rafael Nadal‘s proven domination over Federer in the French Open, I see David utilizing that confidence to dethrone Goliath in a stunner this year.