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Best Bet Major League Baseball

National League (+115) vs American League (-135) (8PM ET) (FOX)

I like the American League pitching setup for the 6th through 9th inning with Mariano Rivera, Frankie Rodriguez, Joe Nathan and Jonathan Papelbon over what the National League offers. With many of the AL starting pitchers going on Sunday we could start to see the relievers by the 6th inning especially if the AL has the lead. We would most likely get at least two innings from Roy Halladay who will be last pitching on Friday so he will have rest heading into the contest. Cliff Lee also pitches on the Friday before the All Star Game. Three of the top starting pitchers on the NL are all pitching on Sunday and that would include Tim Lincecum, Ryan Dempster and Branden Webb. Also Carlos Zambrano just had a stint on the DL. So the 4 best starting pitchers from the NL might not bring their best stuff to this exhibition game. The starting lineup for the American League is solid with AROD, Derek Jeter, Manny Ramirez and Ichiro Suzuki. I expect the American League to build a lead and with their solid bullpen will be able to hold it against the National League reserves from innings 6 through 9. Play the American League at –135.

Selection: American League -135