5-4-3 Baseball Roundup: All-Star Edition

This week our 5-4-3 Baseball Roundup focuses on selections for the 80th All-Star Game from the new Busch Stadium in St. Louis next Tuesday.

5 All-Star Musings

1. Ted Lilly - It's not a surprise that the Cubs' pitcher is an All-Star, but that he is the only Cubs representative. Shockingly, the most popular team in the NL has no fan-voted starters. Also, former All-Stars Soriano, Lee, Zambrano, etc. were snubbed by the reserves as well.

2. Tim Wakefield - The best story of the All-Star selections as the Boston knuckleballer is making his first appearance... at 42! This makes him the 2nd oldest debut All-Star behind the great Satchel Paige who was 45. As a Yanks fan it's tough to give any Red Sox player his due, but Wakefield is certainly deserving of this honor.

3. Dodging Bullets - Baseball catches a break in that Manny and A-Rod are not taking part in the ASG. Having them present would certainly be a huge distraction and take away from the festivities in St. Louis. While the majority of fans may not care, Uncle Bud is breathing a sigh of relief that the steroid soap opera stars will be missing.

4. THE Star - There is no doubt that Albert Pujols will be the main attraction next week. Having the game in St. Louis, being the leading vote-getter, and participating in the HR Derby means it will be Pujols' time to shine.

5. 23 First Timers - This is just a staggering number of players making their first appearance in an All-Star Game. It's great for baseball to have so many good young players making their mark in the game. Here are 4 of the first timers who should become breakthrough superstars.

4 Breakthrough All-Stars

1. Justin Upton - After a slow start, BJ's brother has put up impressive numbers in the desert. He doesn't stand out in any one category, but is a terrific all-around player. Too bad I gave up on him in fantasy baseball in April.

2. Felix Hernandez - Hard to believe this is the first ASG for the Mariners' ace in his fourth season. It's also hard to believe he is only 23! This is a guy with a world of talent who is finally putting it all together this season. He's in the AL Top 10 in W, ERA, K, WHIP, and IP.

3. Adam Jones - Hard to remember the last Orioles player worth noticing, but Baltimore is slowly putting together a fantastic young roster with the young CF as one of the cornerstones. Jones is the most impressive Orioles youngster batting over .300 and adding some power as well this season.

4. Billingsley/Broxton - You can't separate the two stud pitchers from Los Angeles. Chad Billingsley the starter and Jonathan Broxton the closer are two of the main reasons the Dodgers are running away from the rest of the NL. Oh, and they are 24 and 25 years old respectively.

3 Snubs

1. Johnny Cueto - An 8-5 record and a 3.45 ERA may not seem too impressive, until you remember Cueto pitches in the bandbox known as Great American Ballpark. The Reds are somewhat relative again, and Cueto is the ace of an underrated pitching staff.

2. Miguel Cabrera - Miggy ranks in the AL Top 10 in BA, OBP, SLG, and OPS, but those numbers aren't good enough to earn him a spot on the roster. With the Tigers in first place and Cabrera's All-Star pedigree, he has to be feeling a little snubbed.

3. Pablo Sandoval - The Giants rookie 3B is putting up huge numbers batting .328 for the Wild Card leaders, but because every team needs a representative, the Nats Ryan Zimmerman is an All-Star instead. Not even the most diehard Nationals fan will argue that their team deserves an All-Star this year, especially when a great young player like Sandoval has to sit out.