MLB 94th All-Star Game Preview and Free Pick

It’s the 94th Major League Baseball All-Star Game Tuesday night at Globe Life Field in Arlington, home of the champion Texas Rangers. Thirty-seven newbies are on the rosters.

Despite injuries to some of the marquee players in the sport, there will be no shortage of stars on the field. It’s also an exhibition which comes with great betting opportunities on the board.  

The American League had won nine consecutive games before the National League’s 3-2 win at Seattle (Elias Diaz of the Colorado Rockies as MVP) last season. While no longer determining home-field advantage in the World Series, it’s still a game both sides want to win. 

The American League is -117 favorite (National League at +107), according to MLB All-Star Game odds. The over/under run total is 7½, as pitching typically dominates these games. 

Here’s a look at the 94th edition Tuesday’s evening…

The AL Roster

Rigthander Corbin Burnes (9-4, 2.43) of the Baltimore Orioles has been named as the starter. This will be his fourth All-Star Game, while no other pitcher on the staff has more than three. Eight will be making their first appearances in the game.

Among the 13 pitchers selected are two Kansas City Royals, Seth Lugo and Cole Ragans, each is making his initial foray. 

Burnes has the luxury of throwing to his usual catcher in Adley Rutschman, which isn’t a bad thing. Rutschman is the first Oriole catcher to start an All-Star Game since Terry Kennedy (1987). Salvador Perez, stalwart catcher of the Royals, is making his ninth appearance.

Back to the Birds, where shortstop Gunnar Henderson, who was Rookie of the Year last season starts at shortstop.

Here are the American League (leading the series, 47-44-2) starters…

• 1. LF Steven Kwan, Guardians
• 2. SS Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
• 3. RF Juan Soto, Yankees
• 4. CF Aaron Judge, Yankees
• 5. DH Yordan Alvarez, Astros
• 6. 3B Jose Ramirez, Guardians
• 7. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
• 8. C Adley Rutschman, Orioles
• 9. 2B Marcus Semien, Rangers

The NL Roster

It will be Pittsburgh Pirates’ rookie righthander Paul Skenes (6-0, 1.90) getting the start, but won’t go more than one inning. While the majority of the 15-member staff (four representing the 58-32 [best in baseball] Philadelphia Phillies) is making either a first or second appearance, that’s not the case when it comes to the veteran position players (including Shohei Ohtani, in his first season with the Los Angeles Dodgers.

Here are the National League starters…

• 1. 2B Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks
• 2. DH Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers
• 3. SS Trea Turner, Phillies
• 4. 1B Bryce Harper, Phillies
• 5. C William Contreras, Brewers
• 6. RF Christian Yelich, Brewers
• 7. 3B Alec Bohm, Phillies
• 8. CF Tesocar Hernandez, Dodgers
• 9. LF Jurickson Profar, Padres

It’s the ‘Nationals’

As was mentioned, a 3-2 win by the National League last season ended a nine-year losing skid. We’re not necessarily suggesting a long win streak the other way, but we are taking the side at plus-money in this game, It’s the NL +107.

Go under 7½ runs, too, as we expect the same sort of tight, low-scoring game as last season.

There are any number of alternative wagers around the event, as per All-Star Game props.

Today’s History Lesson

Winners (since 2014)…

• July 11, 2023: NL won 3–2. The MVP was Elías Díaz.
• July 19, 2022: AL won 3–2. The MVP was Giancarlo Stanton.
• July 13, 2021: AL won 5–2. The MVP was Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
• July 14, 2020: Canceled due to COVID-19 Pandemic.
• July 9, 2019: AL won 4–3. The MVP was Shane Bieber.
• July 17, 2018: AL won 8–6 (10 innings). The MVP was Alex Bregman.
• July 11, 2017: AL won 2–1 (10 innings). The MVP was Robinson Canó.
• July 12, 2016: AL won 4–2. The MVP was Eric Hosmer.
• July 14, 2015: AL won 6–3. The MVP was Mike Trout.
• July 15, 2014: AL won 5–3. The MVP was Mike Trout

See Also:

How to Bet the MLB All-Star Game