Scott White

And now, after revealing my AL team Friday, I present to you my complete and finalized selections for the NL All-Star team.

Again, I made sure every team had at least one representative, and -- now this part is crucial -- I projected the starting lineups based on the last count of fan voting. You got that? I didn't pick the starting lineups. The fans did. So if you have a problem with Ken Griffey and Kosuke Fukudome starting in the NL outfield -- and I sure do -- don't blame me.

Also, remember I selected these players based exclusively on what they've done, not on what I expect them to do. So to keep with the Fantasy theme of this blog, I'll designate each player "for real" or "sell high," giving you an indication of how well I think each will sustain his stats in the second half.

2008 National League All-Star Team
Starting lineup
C - Geovany Soto, CHC (for real)
1B - Lance Berkman, HOU (for real)
2B - Chase Utley, PHI (for real)
3B - Chipper Jones, ATL (for real)
SS - Hanley Ramirez, FLA (for real)
OF - Alfonso Soriano, CHC (for real)*
OF - Kosuke Fukudome, CHC (for real)
OF - Ken Griffey, CIN (for real -- like, in a bad way)

* - won't play due to injury

Reserves
C - Brian McCann, ATL (for real)
C - Russell Martin, LAD (for real)
1B - Albert Pujols, STL (for real)
1B - Adrian Gonzalez, SD (for real)
2B - Dan Uggla, FLA (sell high)
2B - Brandon Phillips, CIN (for real)
3B - David Wright, NYM (for real)
SS - Jose B. Reyes, NYM (for real)
OF - Matt Holliday, COL (for real)
OF - Carlos N. Lee, HOU (for real)
OF - Pat Burrell, PHI (for real)
OF - Nate McLouth, PIT (for real)
OF - Corey C. Hart, MIL (for real)*

* - injury replacement

Pitching staff
SP - Brandon Webb, ARI (for real)
SP - Cole Hamels, PHI (for real)
SP - Ben Sheets, MIL (sell high because of injury risk)
SP - Tim Lincecum, SF (for real)
SP - Edinson Volquez, CIN (sell high)
SP - Dan Haren, ARI (for real)
SP - Ryan Dempster, CHC (sell high)
SP - Johan Santana, NYM (for real)
RP - Brad Lidge, PHI (for real)
RP - Kerry Wood, CHC (for real)
RP - Jon Rauch, WAS (for real)
 
Notable snubs: Derrek Lee, Aramis Ramirez, Garrett Atkins, Ryan J. Braun, Ryan Ludwick, Jason Bay, Carlos Beltran, Aaron Cook, Tim Hudson, Chad Billingsley, Kyle Lohse, Jair Jurrjens, Billy Wagner

Final tally:
CHC: 5
PHI: 4
CIN: 3
NYM: 3
ARI: 2
ATL: 2
FLA: 2
HOU: 2
MIL: 2
COL: 1
LAD: 1
PIT: 1
STL: 1
SD: 1
SF: 1
WAS: 1

Favorite decision:
Instead of naming Cristian Guzman, technically the Nationals' most deserving player, to the squad and having to eliminate Brandon Phillips or Corey C. Hart, I gave the nod to Jon Rauch -- a deserving player in his own right and one who, considering the shortage of standout NL closers, won't interfere with anyone's else's roster spot.  

That's all for now.