Since Sean just revisited some of the pre-season Bold Predictions I thought it a perfect time to make some of my own. Rather than going long termthough, I thought why not make predictions on things in the near future. Given that it’s the All-Star break, there is an abundance of short term predictions that could actually matter—or not matter—as much as the All-Star festivities themselves. So, in honor of Bud Selig and the fact that “this time it matters,” here are some more Bold Predictions, All-Star edition:
Robinson Cano will repeat as Home Run Derby champ. Prince Fielder will come in second and Matt Kemp will come in last. Cano’s swing is just too smooth and effortless for him to lose; Fielder will die out in the final round, and Kemp hasn’t played in a while, so he’ll be rusty.
In announcing the Derby, Chris Berman will once again remind us how far he has fallen as we hear the word “back” a new-world-record 211 times in the first hour.
George Brett will hit a home run in the Celebrity All-Star Legends softball game, only to have it overturned because he had too much pine tar on his bat.
Jennie Finch will strike out at least one of the following “stars”: Horatio Sanz, Carlos Bocanegra, Chord Overstreet, or Haley Reinhart.
After finishing first and second in the Home Run Derby, Cano and Fielder will hit home runs for the American league during the All-Star Game itself; they’ll both do it off of Matt Cain.
R.A. Dickey will not get the start he deserves, but prove both naysayers and proponents correct by striking out four batters in the same inning, and giving up a run on four wild pitches.
Melky Cabrera will start for the National League to the chagrin of every Yankee fan in the world.
Felix Hernandez will not look spectacular, but will give up zero runs, prompting every Yankee fan in the world to ask why they haven’t traded for him yet. (The answer: He’s ours and you can’t have him.)
Mike Trout will win the All-Star Game MVP after a miraculous catch in the field and a 2-2 showing with a triple and a double.
Steven Strasburg will get the loss for the NL and inch ever closer to his innings limit, prompting Nationals fans to cry themselves to sleep.
Yu Darvish will get the win for the AL simply because he came into the game at the right time.
The final score will be 9-3 AL with home field advantage playing no role at all in the Angels winning the World Series behind the best player in the game: Albert Pujols. Once again this will prompt every Yankee fan to ask why they haven’t traded for him yet. (The answer is Mark Teixeira, and Prince Albert doesn’t need the Yankees in order to get rings.)
-David Ringold
