If the National League is to end a 13-game winless streak against the American League in All-Star game baseball betting it is likely they will do it because of their pitching. The National League is loaded with pitching talent and they might have enough to end the dominance of the American League in All-Star MLB betting.
Baseball betting odds favor the National League since they have won seven straight All-Star games and have not lost in the last 13 games with the tie in 2002. The American League has the offensive firepower but the National League has the pitching. You can make a case that four of the top starters in baseball are on the National League. No one disputes that Ubaldo Jimenez is the best pitcher right now as he is 15-1 on the season. Roy Halladay, Adam Wainwright and Josh Johnson are not far behind. The American League is not without talent though as they have Cliff Lee, Andy Pettitte and David Price. The National League is simply deeper and stronger in terms of overall pitching talent. The National League can trot out two-time National League CY Young winner Tim Lincecum and Tim Hudson after Jimenez or Johnson.
The National League has not won the All-Star game since 1996 but this could be the season they break the streak. Jimenez is having a magical season and the National League does have the best player in the game in Albert Pujols. The American League has better hitting depth but great pitching usually will shut down great hitting and that could be the case on Tuesday night in this All-Star MLB betting matchup.
Another edge that might go overlooked in terms of pitching is the one player who will not be in the game. New York’s Mariano Rivera was chosen for the All-Star game but he is not going to play as he wants to rest and heal some nagging injuries. Anytime the best closer in the history of the game is not going against you it increases your chances of winning so the National League has a better chance simply because Rivera is not playing. Keep in mind he has saved three of the last five All-Star wins for the American League.