Let’s not forget that the MLB All-Star game is the only All-Star game that actually means something. The Pro Bowl means less than nothing and is almost a waste of time to even play. The NBA All-Star game is clowning around game for three quarters and then the players take it serious with hopes to win the bonus for winning the game.

The MLB All-Star game should not determine home field advantage in the World Series, it should be team records. Why? Three main reasons: 1. The fans get to vote in the starters, which aren’t always the best players (more on that below). 2. Every team needs a representative, which hurts the manager’s ability to select the overall best talent. 3. Pitchers that recently pitched are removed from the game and anyone with lingering injuries are replaced further diluting the talent pool.

Now let’s take a look at this season’s All-Stars:

What’s the first thing that jumps out at you? To me: Derek Jeter is the starting shortstop of the American League with this stat line: .260AVG, 2HR, 20RBI, 7SB. Are you kidding? Take away names and not a single person that knows anything about baseball would select him for their All-Star team. Now, I understand that this is the player that the fans want to see. I am OK with that, if the game didn’t mean anything. Wouldn’t a Yankees fan rather have the AL win the game so they have a chance for Home Field advantage, rather than watch Jeter, who they normally watch all the time? Don’t take me for a Yankees hater, I also enjoy what Jeter has done for the game of baseball.

Sticking on the Yankees theme. How is C.C. Sabathia not an All-Star? 11-4, 3.05ERA, 1.21WHIP, 106Ks, 129.2IP. I understand that he is scheduled to start on Sunday and therefore wouldn’t be ready to pitch in the game anyway, but at least name him to the team and give him the recognition he deserves.

Let’s play another game: Pick the All-Star:

Player A: 2-1, 1.36ERA, 1.08WHIP, 0-2 in saves, 8 Holds, 39.2IP, 39Ks

Player B: 1-0, 1.05ERA, 1.31WHIP, 0-2 in saves, 18 Holds (MLB lead), 34.1IP, 55Ks

I’d take Player B every time. Unfortunately, Player B is David Robertson and he is not an All-Star. Player A is Aaron Crow and he is an All-Star, as the lone representative of the Kansas City Royals. He has solid numbers, but Robertson is better as a simple set-up man to set-up man comparison.

Another joke on the American League team is Matt Wieters. First, why does the team need three catchers? Second, he is the only Baltimore Oriole on the team, and he is not even the best player on his team (see Adam Jones).

Michael Cuddyer (the lone Minnesota Twin) is also another major stretch for the All-Star team. I’d also take Dustin Pedroia over Howie Kendrick.

Other notable snubs: Paul Konerko (he is in the last man in ballot in which the fans vote – and he should be a lock to win it), Mark Teixeira (I understand his .243 batting average cost him, but hard to deny 25 HRs [2nd in MLB] and 65 RBI [4th in MLB]).

On the National League side, I’d rather have Carlos Gonzalez than either Carlos Beltran, Jay Bruce or Justin Upton.

Other notable snubs: Anibal Sanchez (6-2, 3.30ERA, 1.19WHIP, 109IP, 111Ks), Ryan Howard (similar fate to Mark Teixeira – the .253AVG cost him, but his 17HR and 67RBI [3rd in MLB] are hard to ignore).

The MLB All-Star game isn’t built to be determining World Series Home Field advantage. It is an exhibition game for a reason, and they should accept that fact because of its flaws.

[Photo Credit: All-Star Logo - BigLeagueBaseballs.com, Derek Jeter - ThroughTheFenceBaseball.com]

The Rangers have not had a good history in the playoffs against the Yankees, and this game didn’t help their cause. Here what I have to say about this game and how the Rangers shot themselves in the foot.

Can the Rangers recover from this disaster? Listen Now (4:37)

Last week had a few significant events that occurred, and here they are:

• The Yankees were the first team this season with 100 wins. They also were the first to clinch a division title (actually they did it the same day the Cardinals did it in the NL Central). The Yankees did it against the arch-rival Red Sox, they actually swept them for the second time this season. The sweep erased the 0-8 start that they had against the Red Sox. They finished the season series 9-9 and are looking sharp for the playoffs.
• The Angels were 1 game away from clinching the AL West division, and they did so on 9/28 with their win over Texas.
• Don’t count the Atlanta Braves out just yet. The have been struggling lately going 4-6 over the past 10, while the Braves are on a 7 game win streak and have pulled within 4 games of the division lead, and 2 of the wild card. San Francisco and Florida have basically been eliminated from the Wild Card (Marlins magic number is 1, and SFs magic number is 2). It is going to be an interesting stretch run as the Braves have a much easier schedule than the Rockies down the stretch.
• Billy Butler had a monster week in fantasy production he was 11 for 26 (.423 BA) with 3 HRs, 9 RBIs, 6 runs scored. The Royals actually have something to give to Fantasy baseball besides Greinke. If you were a Morneau owner, and are still looking for a replacement- he’s the guy (especially if doubles count- he has 50).
• Since I mentioned Grienke, I think I should mention that he has only allowed 2 ER in his past 42 IP. Wow, he has a chance to finish the season with an ERA under 2.00 (currently at 2.06), which would be ridiculous.
• Ryan Howard has 14 RBIs in the past 7 games and has jumped to be tied for the lead with Prince Fielder with 137 on the year.
• The previous Weekly review mentioned only two candidates for the NL CY Young- I must correct that entry by saying the clear front runner is Adam Wainwright of the Cardinals. He is 19-8 with a 2.58 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 204Ks in 227IP on a division champion.
• One of the AL CY Young front runner seems to be C.C. Sabathia. Sabathia has eerily similar numbers to Wainwright- 19-7 with a 3.21 ERA, 1.10 WHIP and 194Ks in 227IP on a division champion. Greinke will probably win it despite being on a horrible team because his numbers are filthy (see above).
• Quick Fantasy update from my two leagues- so far so good, if the championship was one week I would have 2 more first place trophies to add to my collection. Hopefully, I can maintain my lead for the final week.

That is going to do it for this week’s review- only one week left in the regular season. The two races to focus on this week will be the AL Central between the Twins and Tigers and the NL Wild Card between the Braves and Rockies.

Once the season closes, be sure to look for the MikesPickz Playoff Predictions.

I am a three time Fantasy Baseball Champion on Yahoo, with two 2nd place finishes in the total of 8 leagues I have played in since I started in 2004. Feel free to e-mail me, post a question in the MikesPickz Forum, post a question in the comment section below, or send me a tweet, as I am always happy to help.