American League ready to go deep

<p>If the American League All-Stars are worried about spoiling their 11-game winning streak against the National League — just forget the 2002 tie like Bud Selig has — they shouldn’t.</p><p>The AL losing the 80th All-Star Game is about as likely as FOX announcer Tim McCarver coming up speechless during the broadcast.</p><p>The Giants’ Tim Lincecum could be a serious factor in leading the NL to a rare victory, but alas, he’s limited to three innings. And team depth is normally the NL’s downfall.</p><p>Other signs pointing to continuing AL All-Star domination:</p><p>The AL just wrapped up another successful round of interleague play, posting a 137-114 record against the NL. The American League has been at least 20 games over .500 against the NL for five consecutive years, and has built an impressive 713-536 record (.571 winning percentage) during that span.</p><p>And that’s despite four AL teams — Jays, Rangers, Twins and Indians — going 0-for-77 hitting from the pitcher’s spot in the lineup this year.</p><p>There will be no designated hitter in St. Louis, a National League city, but there will be plenty of pinch-hitters available in the All-Star Game, so those AL pitchers won’t have to bat.</p><p>President Obama will throw out the first pitch. He’s the fifth active President to make the ceremonial toss. And while the NL holds a 3-2 lead in other presidential games, George H.W. Bush threw out the first pitch in back-to-back games in 1991 and 1992, and both were AL victories.</p><p>The last president to bring home an NL win was Gerald Ford in 1976.</p><p>Here’s the likely roster the AL figures to field, with position players leading in fan voting also noted:</p><p><b>FIRST BASE </b></p><p>A neck-and-neck race between Kevin Youkilis and Mark Teixeira will produce a winner and likely backup. Both are having solid offensive seasons, Teixeira, in part, because the new Yankee Stadium is a bandox for left-handed power hitters.</p><p>The Twins’ Justin Morneau is one of the best hitters in the AL and should be part of the club, at the expense of Miguel Cabrera and AL home run leader Carlos Peña.</p><p><b>SECOND BASE</b></p><p>Another tight race that will produce a strong bat, either Ian Kinsler’s or Dustin Pedroia’s. The heavy Boston vote favors Pedroia, last season’s MVP. Aaron Hill and Robinson Cano are also deserving.</p><p><b>SHORTSTOP</b></p><p>Derek Jeter is the right pick by fans and will be making his fourth straight start and playing in his 10th All-Star Game. Remember when this position was difficult for even Jeter to crack? No more Omar Vizquel, Cal Ripken, Nomar Garciaparra and Miguel Tejada. And Alex Rodriguez and Michael Young are third basemen. Jason Bartlett is the backup. This is also a career year for Marco Scutaro.</p><p><b>THIRD BASE</b></p><p>It hasn’t been a good year for A-Rod, except maybe on the love front — Kate Hudson is a definite upgrade over Madonna. Rodriguez, despite hitting in the .220s since returning from a hip injury, has moved into the No. 2 spot in voting behind runaway and deserving winner Evan Longoria.</p><p>Mike Lowell is fighting injury, but there could be room for Young and Brandon Inge.</p><p><b>CATCHER</b></p><p>Joe Mauer wins in a landslide. He’s the George Brett of the AL with the league’s best hitter playing a defensive position. The A’s have to have an All-Star representative, and that should be Kurt Suzuki. Victor Martinez is the next best offensive catcher.</p><p><b>OUTFIELD</b></p><p>Jason Bay, Ichiro Suzuki and Josh Hamilton have been running near the top of fan voting, with a late surge by Torii Hunter.</p><p>This is a position where the AL has an obvious edge over the NL.</p><p>Hamilton hasn’t played much because of injury and probably won’t try and defend his home run derby crown. Remember Ichiro’s daring dash around the bases at AT&T for an inside-the-park homer?</p><p><b>RESERVES</b></p><p>Extra outfielders should include Carl Crawford, Jacoby Ellsbury, Johnny Damon, Nick Markakis and Adam Jones. Adam Lind has been hitting over .300 all year.</p><p>Like the NL, the AL is loaded with power-hitting first basemen, which might cost Cabrera a spot. Need a couple of speedy infielders? There’s always Chone Figgins and Brian Roberts.</p><p><b>PITCHERS</b></p><p>I like the 1-2-3 of Roy Halladay, Zach Greinke and Justin Verlander, and if one pitches the weekend before the All-Star game, then throw in Josh Beckett. Felix Hernandez has nasty stuff and A.J. Burnett, Cliff Lee, Edwin Jackson and James Shields are also contenders.</p><p>Need a closer or two? Take your pick from Brian Fuentes, Joe Nathan, Jonathan Papelbon, Bobby Jenks and Mariano Rivera.</p><p>This may not be as overpowering an AL All-Star squad as some, but if the ALers just stay close, depth could prove the difference in the end.</p><p>AL manager Joe Maddon shouldn’t be too eager to go to the bench. Ichiro and Longoria don’t need to grab any pine.</p><p>You can reach Staff Writer</p><p>Rich Rupprecht at 521-5275 or rich.rupprecht@pressdemocrat.com.</p>