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MLB odds: All-Star starters, lineups announced
By Jordan WaltersWagerWeb.com Contributing Writer
| Sports Betting at WagerWeb Online Sportsbook |
OK, raise your hand if before the season you had Cleveland left-hander Cliff Lee in your pool as the American League’s starting pitcher in the All-Star Game. Yeah, didn’t think so.
"I'm just honored to be here, to be honest with you," Lee said. "To get the start is just icing on the cake. ... I'm kind of awe-struck by it."
It was thought Red Sox manager Terry Francona of the Red Sox might choose Yankees closer Mariano Rivera to start the game, the final one played at this Yankee Stadium, but the Red Sox manager opted for Lee, who is 12-2 with a 2.31 ERA.
"Mariano Rivera may be the greatest reliever of all-time, but he's not a starter," Francona said. "We will treat every player in this game with a lot of respect, certainly knowing that there are Yankees in this game - but other than that I think [we're] doing it correctly."
You can bet every dollar you have that Rivera will pitch the ninth inning if the AL is leading, however.
Lee entered spring training having to win a spot in the rotation after a terrible 2007, but he leads the AL in victories despite pitching for the last-place Indians.
Incidentally, the last Indians pitcher to start an All-Star Game was Charles Nagy in 1996 at Philadelphia -- the last time the National League won.
NL manager Clint Hurdle (Rockies) will start Milwaukee ace Ben Sheets, who is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA. Sheets has never even been to Yankee Stadium.
"I'm going to try to take it all in and just enjoy myself," Sheets said.
Lee pitched Friday, while Sheets hasn't pitched since Wednesday. The AL is a -147 money line betting favorite on WagerWeb.com.
NATIONAL LEAGUE LINEUP
1. Hanley Ramirez, SS (Marlins)
2. Chase Utley, 2B (Phillies)
3. Lance Berkman, 1B (Astros)
4. Albert Pujols, DH (Cardinals)
5. Chipper Jones, 3B (Braves)
6. Matt Holliday, RF (Rockies)
7. Ryan Braun, LF (Brewers)
8. Kosuke Fukudome, CF (Cubs)
9. Geovany Soto, C (Cubs)
AMERICAN LEAGUE LINEUP
1. Ichiro Suzuki, RF (Mariners)
2. Derek Jeter, SS (Yankees)
3. Josh Hamilton, CF (Rangers)
4. Alex Rodriguez, 3B (Yankees)
5. Manny Ramirez, LF (Red Sox)
6. Milton Bradley, DH (Rangers)
7. Kevin Youkilis, 1B (Red Sox)
8. Joe Mauer, C (Twins)
9. Dustin Pedroia, 2B (Red Sox)
