2009 MLB All-Star Game Betting - American League Odds

The National League will try and end the American League’s recent dominance in MLB All-Star game betting as the teams meet on Tuesday night at 8:20pm EST in St. Louis on FOX. The American League is 11-0-1 in the last 12 All-Star games. Since 2003, the winner of the game has received home field advantage in the World Series although that advantage hasn’t meant much as the leagues have split the last six World Series. The National League has two things going for them this year as they try and break the American League’s winning streak in baseball betting.

They have the best player in baseball in Albert Pujols and they have the best pitcher in the game in Tim Lincecum on the mound. Pujols is hitting .332 (fourth in the NL) with 32 homers and 87 RBIs (both lead the majors). Lincecum is 10-2 with a 2.33 ERA this season. Last season he missed out on the All-Star game due to illness but this year he gets the start. “This is obviously a great accomplishment for me,” Lincecum told MLB.com, “I’m just excited to be a member of this team again.” MLB All-Star game betting odds have the American League -113 against the National League -107 in baseball odds with a total of 9.5 UNDER -115.

Lincecum leads the league in strikeouts with 149. Lincecum will be the fifth different San Francisco Giants pitcher to start in All-Star game betting. Jason Schmidt started in 2003, while Rick Reuschel started the 1989 game and Vida Blue started in 1978. Juan Marichal started in 1965 and in 1967. Toronto’s Roy Halladay is the American League starter. He is 10-3 with a 2.85 ERA. Halladay was picked by American League manager Joe Maddon over Kansas City’s Zack Grienke who actually has better numbers. "It's very difficult to pick that one guy," Maddon said, "It's not an easy decision to make. Based on this season and the body of work, I thought he deserved the nod." Halladay is the third different Blue Jay to start an All-Star Game, joining David Wells in 2000 and Dave Stieb in 1983 and '84.

The American League lineup has Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki leading off followed by New York’s Derek Jeter, Minnesota’s Joe Mauer, New York’s Mark Teixeira, Boston’s Jason Bay, Texas’s Josh Hamilton, Tampa Bay’s Evan Longoria, Toronto’s Aaron Hill and Halladay. Florida’s Hanley Ramirez leads off for the National League followed by Philadelphia’s Chase Utley, Pujols, Milwaukee's Ryan Braun, Philadelphia’s Raul Ibanez, New York’s David Wright, Philadelphia's Shane Victorino, Yadier Molina of St. Louis and Lincecum. The American League has won the last six All-Star Games, including last year’s 4-3 win in 15 innings. The last time the National League won was in 1996 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia. Vegas MLB All-Star game betting odds at the MGM Mirage sportsbook have the American League -115 favorites against the National League -105 with a betting total of 9.5 UNDER -120.