Streak for the Cash Picks – July 10

July 9, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; A general view as American League first baseman Prince Fielder (28) of the Detroit Tigers bats during the first round of the 2012 Home Run Derby at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Peter G. Aiken/USA TODAY Sports via US PRESSWIRE

On the day of the MLB All-Star game, there’s eight picks on the board over at ESPN’s Streak for the Cash mini-game. Besides the game itself there’s three props from the All-Star game and four other picks from obscure soccer leagues and the WNBA.

Yesterday I went 3-2 winning my most confident matchup with “any other player” when Prince reclaimed the crown as Home Run Derby Champion and the fans in KC showed Robinson Cano what they thought of him leaving Billy Butler off his ultimately victorious AL team. Here’s my thoughts on today’s picks…

The Picks

July 9, 2012; Kansas City, MO, USA; American League outfielder Mike Trout (right) of the Los Angeles Angels poses for a photo with National League outfielder Bryce Harper (left) of the Washington Nationals during practice for the 2012 All Star Game at Kauffman Stadium. Mandatory Credit: H. Darr Beiser-USA TODAY Sports via US PRESSWIRE

11:35 AM- Connecticut Sun win by double digits: I’m not a big follower of the WNBA, but I know the Sun are good. They have the best record in the Eastern Conference at 12-4 and they’re playing Washington who’s at the other end of the standings at 3-12. The only question is whether they’ll win by double digits. It most likely will be close as it has in the first two meetings between these teams with the margins being 8 and 13. I’ll go with the Sun on the road to get the 10+ point win. If you start the day in the red like me, this is the pick I’d make. If I was green, I’d wait until later. Confidence Meter: 1 1/2 (out of 10)

2:30 PM- Dudelange by 3+: In the early rounds of UEFA qualifying there’s usually lopsided matchups. Dudelange won the first leg of this 7-0 at their home stadium in southern Luxembourg and should be able to cruise to victory once again over  S.P. Tre Penne, a team based out of San Marino. Confidence Meter: 4

8:09- American League: Growing up a Red Sox fan, I’ve always pulled for the AL in the All-Star game. They are the favorites this year as well as the host team (KC fans showed their loyalty last night) and I think they’ll earn that home-field advantage in the World Series by winning tonight. Obviously, the NL has tons of good players as well, that’s why it’s an All-Star team. Either team can definitely win this one and it’s never a good sign when the pick on the board you can be most confident in is an exhibition game… Confidence Meter: 6

8:10- 1 or 2 Strikeouts: If you need to go with props, I think Verlander and Cain can get a K in the first. The zero scares me a little since these are the best players in the game, but I think they can get one since they’re both high K-rate pitchers. I doubt they’ll be able to get three. As usual with props, it’s a coin flip. Confidence Meter: 3

8:45- Yes a HR in 3-5 Innings: In three of the past five years, this side of the prop would have been right. As we saw last night, the ball can carry here and Prince can crush it. He, Big Papi, or another big left-hander will put a charge in one. Confidence Meter: 3

10:05- 2 Runs or Fewer: In another well-balanced prop, the under would have been correct in three of the last five All-Star games. The closers on both sides are pretty dominant and they normally are in the game at this point so I’ll take the under with my most confidence in any prop. Confidence Meter: 5

The Results

Overall Picks: 26-16

Picks with Confidence over 5: 11-6

Current Personal Streak: L1