A look ahead at candidates and predictions for the National League roster for the MLB All-Star Game on July 13, 2010 in Anaheim, Calif.

Fans pick the eight position starters by ballot, players pick 16 reserves and the manager picks 10 more. One final position is selected on MLB.com by fans.

?One player will be selected as the designated hitter, a rule that is now in effect for all All-Star games.

Rosters were expanded to 34 for each team this season, and any starting pitcher who played on the Sunday before the game will be replaced on the roster.

Stats as of June 29, 2010.

CATCHER

Likely starter voted by fans: Yadier Molina, Cardinals (.235, 3 HR, 30 RBI)
Should be the starter: Miguel Olivo, Rockies
Backups: Miguel Olivo, Rockies (.308, 11 HR, 38 RBI), Brian McCann, Braves (.259, 9 HR, 32 RBI)
Notes: Molina is good defensively, but so is Olivo. If you wonder why the NL always loses, it's fan decisions like this one.
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FIRST BASE

Likely starter voted by fans: Albert Pujols, Cardinals (.312, 18 HR, 57 RBI, 7 SB)
Should be the starter: Pujols.
Backups: Joey Votto, Reds (.313, 17 HR, 54 RBI, 7 SB), Adrian Gonzalez, Padres (.301, 16 HR, 51 RBI).
Notes: Loaded spot that leaves off Prince Fielder (.260, 17 HR), Ryan Howard (.295, 15 HR, 55 RBI) and James Loney (.296, 54 RBI). Garrett Jones of the Pirates (.284, 10 HR, 46 RBI) could slide in here if no other Pirates are taken.

SECOND BASE

Likely starter voted by fans: Chase Utley, Phillies (.277, 11 HR, 37 RBI)
Should be the starter: Martin Prado, Braves
Backups: Martin Prado, Braves (.334, 7 HR, 33 RBI),
Notes: Prado is an unsung part of a first-place team, and because Utley is on the DL, he'll likely get the start. Brandon Phillips of the Reds (.312, 9 HR, 25 RBI, 10 SB) would be a worthy injury replacement.
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THIRD BASE

Likely starter voted by fans: David Wright, Mets (.310, 14 HR, 61 RBI)
Should be the starter: Wright, but it's a tight race with Placido Polanco of the Phillies (who is injured).
Backups: Scott Rolen, Reds (.301, 17 HR, 53 RBI), Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals (.285, 13 HR, 39 RBI)
Notes: Wright and Rolen are both having great bounce-back seasons, and Zimmerman is probably the only Nationals player who will be selected in the initial phase.

SHORTSTOP

Likely starter voted by fans: Hanley Ramirez, Marlins (.293, 12 HR, 50 RBI, 14 SB)
Should be the starter: Ramirez by default, now that Troy Tulowitzki (.306, 9 HR, 34 RBI) is hurt.
Backups: Juan Uribe, Giants (.270, 12 HR, 45 RBI)
Notes: Hard to reward Ramirez, who had the well-publicized blowup at his since-fired manager, but he'll be there. Uribe has had a nice first half.

OUTFIELD

Likely starters voted by fans: Ryan Braun, Brewers (.299, 11 HR, 49 RBI), Jason Heyward, Braves (.251, 11 HR, 45 RBI), Andre Ethier, Dodgers (.312, 12 HR, 47 RBI)
Should be the starters: Braun and Ethier are good picks. Heyward would have been after April, but he's slumped, and he's now hurt.
Backups: Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies (.302, 12 HR, 46 RBI, 11 SB), Andrew McCutchen, Pirates (.298, 7 HR, 24 RBI, 19 SB), Marlon Byrd, Cubs (.311, 9 HR, 35 RBI), Jayson Werth, Phillies (.292, 13 HR, 47 RBI), Justin Upton, Diamondbacks (.268, 14 HR, 39 RBI)
Notes: Can load up here because of the DH. Others who are worthy include Corey Hart (.278, 18 HR, 60 RBI), Colby Rasmus (.275, 16 HR) and Angel Pagan (.304, 36 RBI, 14 SB).

PITCHERS

Starter: Ubaldo Jimenez, Rockies (14-1, 1.83 ERA)
Others: Roy Halladay, Phillies (9-6, 2.29), Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (11-5, 2.34), Chris Carpenter, Cardinals (9-1, 2.70), Mat Latos, Padres (8-4, 2.85), Tim Hudson, Braves (8-3, 2.37), Josh Johnson, Marlins (8-3, 1.83), Tim Lincecum, Giants (8-3, 3.13), Roy Oswalt, Astros (5-10, 3.55), Brian Wilson, Giants (2-0, 21 SV, 2.25 ERA), Billy Wagner, Braves (5-0, 15 SV, 1.19 ERA), Jonathan Broxton, Dodgers (3-0, 16 SV, 1.87 ERA).
Notes: These are the toughest cuts. Yovani Gallardo (8-3, 2.56) and Mike Pelfrey (10-2, 2.71) are worthy, as is Carlos Silva of the Cubs (8-2, 3.01). Too bad we have to put Oswalt on here because there's really no other Astro.

FINAL BALLOT

Fan vote: Yovani Gallardo, Ryan Howard, Garrett Jones, Mike Pelfrey, Stephen Strasburg.

Breakdown by team: Cardinals 5, Braves 5, Phillies 3, Giants 3, Rockies 3, Marlins 2, Padres 2, Reds 2, Dodgers 2, Brewers 1, Cubs 1, Mets 1, Nationals 1, Pirates 1, Astros 1, Diamondbacks 1.