MLB All-Star Game – American League Predictions, Odds and Preview

The American League is lacking top-quality arms heading into the 2016 MLB All-Star Game. However, it still has some big bats (Mark Trumbo, Big Papi), big names (Mike Trout, Miguel Cabrera) and slick gloves (Jose Altuve, Manny Machado) that can trouble the NL.

Here’s a quick breakdown of the entire American League All-Star roster – from the starters and reserves to the pitchers – ahead of the Midsummer Classic. Meanwhile, check out our preview of the NL All-Stars here.

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2016 MLB American League All-Star Team Preview

Starters

Position | Player | Team
C | Salvador Perez | Kansas City Royals
1B | Eric Hosmer | Kansas City Royals
2B | Jose Altuve | Houston Astros
SS | Xander Bogaerts | Boston Red Sox
3B | Manny Machado | Baltimore Orioles
OF | Mike Trout | Los Angeles Angels
OF | Jackie Bradley, Jr. | Boston Red Sox
OF | Mookie Betts | Boston Red Sox
DH | David Ortiz | Boston Red Sox

There isn’t an overwhelming amount of power in the American League’s starting lineup, although David Ortiz, Mike Trout, and Manny Machado can all go deep. Instead, this team is littered with outstanding contact hitters who are also very handy with their gloves.

Everyone save for catcher Sal Perez is batting .300 or higher. Meanwhile, Trout, along with the Red Sox’s young trio of Xander Bogaerts, Jackie Bradley, Jr. and Mookie Betts, don’t have Gold Gloves, but all are above average defenders for their positions.

Reserves

Position | Player | Team
C | Stephen Vogt | Oakland Athletics
C | Matt Wieters | Baltimore Orioles
1B | Miguel Cabrera | Detroit Tigers
2B | Robinson Cano | Seattle Mariners
3B | Josh Donaldson | Toronto Blue Jays
IF | Eduardo Núñez | Minnesota Twins
SS | Francisco Lindor | Cleveland Indians
OF | Carlos Beltran | New York Yankees
OF | Ian Desmond | Texas Rangers
OF | Michael Saunders | Toronto Blue Jays
OF | Mark Trumbo | Baltimore Orioles
DH | Edwin Encarnacion | Toronto Blue Jays

The AL may not have too much power to start, but it does have some big bats in reserve. Robinson Cano (21), Josh Donaldson (23) and Edwin Encarnacion (23) are all inside the top 12 in the majors in home runs. And of course, they have the top masher, Mark Trumbo, who has 28 homers so far this season. Carlos Beltran (.299, 19 HRs), Ian Desmond (.322, 15 HRs, 55 RBIs) and Michael Saunders (.298, 16 HRs) are also all having very solid seasons with the bat.

Pitchers

Player | Hand | Team
Dellin Betances | Right | New York Yankees
Brad Brach | Right | Baltimore Orioles
Zach Britton | Left | Baltimore Orioles
Alex Colome | Right | Tampa Bay Rays
Cole Hamels | Left | Texas Rangers
Will Harris | Right | Houston Astros
Kelvin Herrera | Right | Kansas City Royals
Corey Kluber | Right | Cleveland Indians
Andrew Miller | Left | New York Yankees
Jose Quintana | Left | Chicago White Sox
Chris Sale | Left | Chicago White Sox
Aaron Sanchez | Right | Toronto Blue Jays
Steven Wright | Right | Boston Red Sox

The back of the AL’s bullpen has taken quite a hit with the injuries to closers Wade Davis and Craig Kimbrel. However, AL manager Net Yost can still call on the likes of Zach Britton – 27 saves this season for the O’s – and Andrew Miller in the later innings.

However, the bigger concern could be the AL’s lack of ace-caliber starters, especially now that Danny Salazar won’t be able to pitch. That’s likely why the AL is a slight +103 underdog to win the game.

White Sox ace Chris Sale will likely be the team’s starter, but he’s given up 12 runs in 12 innings over two starts this July. Reigning AL Cy Young Corey Kluber – who was only an injury replacement – and Cole Hamels have also been somewhat inconsistent this season.

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