My National League All-Stars

This is one of my favorite times of year.  The All-Star Game is a little more than two weeks away, and they announce the teams on Sunday.  Polls close on Thursday, so this week's ballot updates (and the endless array of people complaining on MLB.com message boards) are the final ones before the teams are chosen.  Everybody has their opinion about who deserves to be All-Stars, and I'm no different.  So, over the next two days, I'll give you my selections, starting with the National League.

*For the starters, I'm going with the eight players currently leading the voting.  Since Albert can't play, I'll also be picking an extra first baseman as an injury replacement.

Starting Lineup
C: Brian McCann, Braves
1B: *Albert Pujols, Cardinals
2B: Rickie Weeks, Brewers
SS: Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies
3B: Placido Polanco, Phillies
OF: Ryan Braun, Brewers; Lance Berkman, Cardinals; Matt Holliday, Cardinals

I really need somebody to explain to me why Rickie Weeks and Placido Polanco are so popular.  (I don't get the whole Ryan Braun thing either, but tonight's game against the Yankees will also mark the first time I've seen the Brewers play in about three years, so that might have something to do with it.)

The rules state that whoever finishes first on the player ballot (or second if it's the same person) gets to start if the elected starter is injured.  That means either Joey Votto or Prince Fielder will likely replace Albert in the starting lineup.  I don't really think it matters which one, though.  The other will probably start anyway as the DH (first time they're using one in an NL park).

Anyway, now it's time to move on to the pitchers and reserves.  I'm following the same rules they use while actually picking the team.

Pitchers: Starters-Ian Kennedy, Diamondbacks; Jair Jurrjens, Braves; Anibal Sanchez, Marlins; Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers; Yovani Gallardo, Brewers; Roy Halladay, Phillies; Cole Hamels, Phillies; Jaime Garcia, Cardinals; Relievers-John Axford, Brewers; Joel Hanrahan, Pirates; Mike Adams, Padres; Brian Wilson, Giants; Drew Storen, Nationals
Catcher: Miguel Montero, Diamondbacks
1st Base: Joey Votto, Reds (starting for Pujols); Prince Fielder, Brewers (starting DH); Gaby Sanchez, Marlins (injury replacement)
2nd Base: Brandon Phillips, Reds
Shortstop: Starlin Castro, Cubs; Jose Reyes, Mets
3rd Base: Aramis Ramirez, Cubs
Outfield: Justin Upton, Diamondbacks; Hunter Pence, Astros; Andre Ethier, Dodgers; Matt Kemp, Dodgers; Carlos Beltran, Mets

Final Vote: Carlos Gonzalez (OF), Rockies; Michael Bourn (OF), Astros; Ryan Howard (1B), Phillies; Andrew McCutchen (OF), Pirates; Michael Morse (1B), Nationals

As for the lineup, it would look something like this:
Weeks-2B, Berkman-RF, Votto-1B, Braun-CF, Fielder-DH, Holliday-LF, McCann-C, Tulowitzki-SS, Polanco-3B, Halladay-P

I'm sure there are some selections here that people don't agree with.  To be honest, I'd be surprised if there weren't.  Tomorrow we'll do the American League, which I know a lot better than the NL.