Preview/Prediction

While baseball award predictions are usually thwarted by hot Septembers, cold Septembers and injuries, one cannot deny the fun of it.

The 2013 NL Cy Young race is a particularly interesting debate, since they are a few very good hurlers taking the mound every fifth day, but no clear-cut favorite.

There are so many good NL pitchers this season that I knew I would insult a couple candidates by narrowing the field down down to five contestants.

Jordan Zimmerman, Jason Grilli, and Cliff Lee were my final cuts.

The Arizona Diamondbacks have won 11 of Patrick Corbin's last 12 home starts, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks Tuesday, as they continue a four-game series with the Chicago Cubs at Chase Field.

The Los Angeles Angels have dropped four of their last five games against the Minnesota Twins, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks as the two teams meet up at Angel Stadium.

Courtesy of SBR Forum, the Angels are minus-175 home favorites in the pro baseball odds, with the betting total sitting at 8.5 in the market.

Let's take a closer look at this American League matchup from a betting perspective, while offering up a prediction along the way. 

With the Cubs trade of Matt Garza to the Texas Rangers on Monday, the player viewed by many as the prize of the 2013 trade deadline has been moved, and that could have a domino effect on the rest of the market.

For teams looking to add an impact arm, there is no real home run option left, and the best available starter now looks to be White Sox right-hander Jake Peavy.

With the All Star break officially underway, many of the Texas Rangers will get the opportunity to rest up after a long first half of the season. With the exception of Joe Nathan, Yu Darvish and Nelson Cruz, the entire Texas Rangers organization will use this four day break to recharge and get ready for the long haul ahead.

There is this ever-prevailing sentiment that MLB's All-Star Game is the only such one among the United States' four major sports that actually "means something."

And, piety of that statement aside, it's mostly based in truth. 

The 2013 MLB All-Star Game is finally upon us, as the festivities have ended and the fight for home-field advantage in the World Series will soon commence. While everyone knows that the game will transpire, there's one question that everyone needs answered.

When and where can we watch the game?

Top prospect Jarred Cosart made his MLB debut for the Houston Astros on Friday night, giving hope that the worst team in baseball has a bright future ahead of it.

Cosart was nearly flawless against the Tampa Bay Rays, throwing eight shutout innings and allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out two en route to his first big league win.

The MLB All-Star game is just days away, and with home field advantage on the line in the World Series, expect certain stars to put on a show.

Let's take a look at this year's All-Star rosters for both the American and National League, then dive into whom to keep an eye on.

MLB All-Star Game Rosters

American League

The New York Yankees have won CC Sabathia's last four starts against the Kansas City Royals, which is important to consider when making your MLB picks Tuesday as the two teams continue a four-game series at Yankee Stadium.