July 13, 2011 (All-Star Break)

The AL won the Home Run Derby, the NL won the All-Star Game, and two categories out of twenty are generating more than half the points in our 2011 MLB Predictions Pool. If not for Roy Halladay’s innings and Michael Bourn’s steals, our current point average of 3.35 (our lowest update since May) would be well under the Mendoza Line.

Have no fear! We’re still well above our usual pool numbers for the All-Star Break, and we’re scoring higher than ever in HBPs. Studly seasons by Adrián González, Justin Verlander, and Clayton Kershaw have helped Dan McCloskey to the top of our list, although nine other entrants only trail by one category-point. We may be scouring the disabled list for answers as often as the boxscores, with several of our more popular player choices in shaky physical condition.

Remember that players traded across leagues only maintain statistics from their original designation, with the exception of HBP totals. Check www.mlbpool.blogspot.com for more frequent updates and other Pool-related information.