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2011 MLB All-Star Game Preview: Will Brian Wilson Get a Save Opportunity?

2011 National League All-Star manager Bruce Bochy has five of his San Francisco Giants on the team this year, but it's more than likely that fans might only see two of them. 

Bochy is likely going to give Brian Wilson the closer position in Tuesday's All-Star Game, making him the likeliest player to see some action in the game. Wilson has a 6-2 record so far this year with 26 saves in 43 appearances thus far. Will he get his opportunity? I hope so. I think the folks at home would love to see Wilson get a save for the NL, and his likely awesome cleats. 

The skip is going to go without two of his starters in Matt Cain and Tim Lincecum as both have them pitched over the weekend. Cain is officially ineligible because he threw on Sunday, but Lincecum isn't, although something tells me It doesn't seem to bother the two-time Cy Young winner much: 

"I'm not going to be crying if I don't get in," Lincecum said. "If they feel they need to put me in there, I'll do it. I'm a competitive guy. I want to pitch any chance I get. But when you're on a team like this with as many tremendous pitchers, they can throw anybody in there and have a pretty good shot at doing well."

Ryan Vogelsong is slated for extra-innings work only, making it unlikely he will see some actual game time; I'm hoping for the opposite (and secretly another tie, just cause). Late addition Pablo Sandoval will be the designated utility man for the National League, meaning he can go in and out of the game as a replacement more than once. Boch will have options with the Panda as he could feasibly play first, third, or even catch, and hopefully a few extra at bats too. 

For more on the Giants head over to McCovey Chronicles.