OC Dooley

TONIGHT’S SPECIAL “5 UNIT” REDZONE ALL-STAR GAME BEST BET (National League +110 versus American League in a 8:20 eastern start on FOX-TV):  Of course the big sports story is the sudden passing of former Yankees owner George Steinbrenner who built a legendary franchise into a recent success.  Despite the Yankees long run of postseason berths it is almost unheard of in this day in age for a manager to make CONSECUTIVE appearances in the All-Star game which annually rewards the skippers of the prior World Series.  This is a critical area where the National League has an advantage as Charlie Manuel is directing the senior circuit after gaining invaluable experience of juggling an All-Star roster in 2009.  From his first press conference in Anaheim Manuel has repeatedly mentioned how important WINNING what is essentially is an exhibition game really is.  In what is an ironic twist WINNING at all costs was the only thing that mattered to the now late George Steinbrenner  The mid-summer classic has changed dramatically since 2004 as the triumphant league gets home field advantage in the World Series and we can see by the shaping of the respective rosters that the National League and Manuel in particular are setting themselves up to win in the LATE innings as the senior circuit has a large collection of speed, defense and position flexibility off the bench.  One of the most controversial picks was the selection of Atlanta RESERVE Omar Infante who can literally play any position in the field and is a “contact” hitter who can handle the bat and pick up the clutch hit (.367 average with runners in scoring position).  Other National League reserves who can play “small ball” off the bench with both speed and bunting ability are Michael Bourne and Chris Young while veteran Scott Rolen provides defensive prowess at the hot corner.  Admittedly the American League starting lineup has an edge in the power department, but the National League has plenty of homerun capability (Ryan Howard, Joey Votto, Adrian Gonzalez) coming off the bench.  Another area where the National League has an advantage in the latter innings tonight is in the bullpen where 3 different SETUP men can be called on.  Even though the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to be the laughingstock of baseball their representative Evan Meek just happens to have a SUB-ONE ERA.  One of the most prized pitching possessions that every team seeks annually is effective LEFTHANDERS and Cincinnati set-up man Arthur Rhodes (33 consecutive SCORELESS appearances) just happens to dominate opposing southpaw batters.  The next area where the senior circuit has an advantage is at CLOSER simply because Yankees star Mariano Rivera is NOT participating due to injury.  Not only has Rivera allowed ZERO earned runs in 8 different All-Star appearances, he has successfully saved American League victories 3 of the past 5 years.  Considering how close recent All-Star games have been, there is no question that the American League roster is going to miss his positive “aura” from the bullpen in the late innings.  The next area where the underdog side has an advantage this evening is last minute ROSTER REPLACEMENTS as the National League (3) has had to make much fewer moves as opposed to the American League (7).  The newest rule change for the mid-summer classic is that pitchers who start on Sunday cannot participate and the American League has 3 of them (C.C. Sabathia, Trevor Cahill, Jered Weaver) who worked on the final day of the first-half.  One can argue that the handful of replacements made by the National League actually works in their favor as league saves leader Heath Bell now gets to participate.  Mets speedster Jose Reyes has battled injuries for consecutive campaigns and his replacement (Rafael Furcal) at least statistically is a more “complete” player.  In another unusual move to give the National League a “matchup” edge, outfielder Jason Heyward was actually replaced by reliever Hong-Chih Kuo who is a complete unknown except to fans of the Dodgers.  Kuo (1.03 ERA, 12 holds) is a great story in that he has fought back from 4 different arm surgeries to register 36 STRIKEOUT victims in 28 innings of work.  O course the American League has won 13 consecutive All-Star games and also has the statistical edge in this year’s round of Interleague contests.  While the overall balance of power has not shifted, the “cream of the crop” with National League STARTING PITCHERS has.  To give you an idea of the amazing depth there are actually 4 different hurlers with better ERA’s (Johnson, Wainwright, Halladay, Garcia) than tonight’s starter Ubaldo Jiminez who has gotten the nod courtesy of a phenomenal 15-1 record and a no-hitter.  What is so scary is that the National League pitching roster does not include phenom Stephen Strasburg (2.32 ERA, 61 strikeouts) and Johan Santana who not all that long ago was the most dominant hurler in the game.  Two-time Cy Young award winner Tim Lincecum has been reduced to a mere afterthought even though he leads the senior circuit in strikeouts.  San Diego’s Mat Latos who since May has put up serious numbers for the surprising Padres (9-2, 1.56 ERA) was not good enough to make what is an imposing National League pitching roster.  This particular All-Star Game is being played in Anaheim where way back in 1967 the National League pulled off a 2-1 victory in 15 innings of a game where the pitchers dominated, so we have some history on our side.  The National League has not won this event since way back in 1996 when the team was managed by Bobby Cox.  In another ironic twist this is Cox’s last year after leading the Braves to 14 different divisional titles.  Other than Cox and Joe Torre in his early Yankee days, managers getting to lead the All-Star game in consecutive campaigns are unheard of so I for one will be keeping a close eye on Charlie Manuel in his second consecutive tour of duty.  There is no question that 2010 has been the year of the pitcher and the National League at least statistically has an enormous edge in that department along with a very diverse roster that includes 3 middle relievers and a late inning defensive replacement (Omar Infante) who is not an everyday starter for his team. The American League’s string of victories (13) is the longest unbeaten streak in All-Star history, so this is also a law of averages special

NBA PLAYOFFS WRAP UP A SIZZLING 13-4 IN THE FINAL THREE WEEKS OF COVERAGE (including a "5 UNIT" Best Bet triumph in an epic Finals game-seven)

College basketball premium coverage concludes 14-5 including an UNDEFEATED mark (6-0) with Best Bets

65-59-4 ALL PREMIUM BASEBALL PAST EIGHTY-TWO DAYS OF COVERAGE (small favorites, underdogs, totals)