MLB All-Star Game 2019 Predictions
By Sean Facey
The MLB All-Star Game has a tough act to follow after Monday night's riveting Home Run Derby. Of course, there's plenty of star power set to take the diamond at Progressive Field in Cleveland, and there's sure to be plenty of excitement to go around.
Time to make four bold predictions about what's in store for baseball fans tonight in the Midsummer Classic.
1. Justin Verlander Strikes Out the Side
Justin Verlander has been one of the best strikeout artists in baseball this year. Sound familiar? He's accumulated 153 punchouts before the All-Star break, and has the perfect recipe to retire the side on strikes to open things up. The AL's starter will square off against Christian Yelich, Javier Baez and Freddie Freeman in the first inning, all of whom hold strikeout rates north of 18%. You can bet he's going to take advantage of that.
2. Alex Cora's Pitching Strategy Works Out
AL manager Alex Cora plans to pitch Masahiro Tanaka second with Lucas Giolito to follow so that way the two can pitch to their respective teammates behind the plate, Gary Sanchez and James McCann. Though daring, the strategy will work out, and the two hurlers will navigate through the NL lineup unscathed.
3. The NL Finally Wins
This has to be the year that the National League breaks through. They've got a loaded pitching staff and arguably the two of the best players in baseball this year in Christian Yelich and Cody Bellinger. A stacked squad like this gives them their best shot in recent memory of snapping their six-year losing streak.
4. Christian Yelich Wins MVP
Yelich is already in the midst of yet another MVP-caliber season, and there's no reason for that to stop at this year's All-Star Game. He'll be well-rested after sitting out the Home Run Derby, and his heroics will be the key to turn the tide on the NL's half-dozen years of failure.