All-Star Game Belongs to Nationals, Says Hot Gambling Analyst

In fact, other than the two NL wins in '95 and '96, the AL streak goes all the way back to 1988.

The 79th All-Star Game for Major League Baseball is tonight, and the National League is hoping to break a string of losses that dates back twelve years. Only the infamous tie of 2002 disrupts an American League stretch of eleven victories.

Although several of the last few games were close, including two one-run wins by the AL the last two years, the AL has established a pattern of dominance that has led to the conclusion that the NL isn't as good, an opinion validated by most of the recent World Series.

In fact, other than the two NL wins in '95 and '96, the AL streak goes all the way back to 1988. That's 17-2, a pretty convincing number.

So, when asked who he would suggest is the best play against the odds tonight, with the American League favored at -140, Edmund Crumley, Online Casino Advisory's senior sports analyst, of course chose the Nationals.

"All things come to an end, and this streak is ripe for the fall, " said Crumley, fresh off nailing the Euro Cup and Wimbledon Finals. "The National League starting lineup is full of young up-and-comers, while the American League's lineup has players past their prime, although still wonderful."

"This can be noted at the top spots in the batting order, in which Hanley Ramirez and Chase Utley, potential league MVPS, are 24 and 29, respectively. Ichiro and Jeter, occupying the same two spots for the AL, are both 34, and perhaps just past their best years. Then, when you figure players at their peak like Dan Haren and Johan Santana have switched to the National side in trades, you have to like the Senior Circuit."

"In a sport where age starts setting in at 30, Matt Holliday is 28, Albert Pujols is 28, Ryan Braun and Geovany Soto are 24. Youth will be served tonight."

"The best chance for the AL is to get Grady Sizemore in as early as possible, and then use all those dominant closers for an inning each. Maybe Brad Lidge will timewarp back to his horrible Houston days; but probably not.'

Crumley's prediction for the game: a 7-4 NL victory.