The Midsummer Classic is finally here as the best of the best in MLB descend on Denver, Colorado. After the 2020 game was scrapped with the late start to the season, this is the first MLB All-Star Game in two years. The National League will serve as the hosts at 7:35 p.m. ET from Coors Field, televised nationally on FOX.
The NL is the betting favorite at -110 on the moneyline, with the AL at +100. The run total is 10.5 runs, with both sides at -105. The AL has dominated this game recently with a 19-3-1 record since 1997.
Coors Field History
Everyone knows that the ball flies in the altitude in Denver, and it sure did as Pete Alonso won the Home Run Derby on Monday night. There were numerous blasts by the eight competitors at over 500 feet, including a few measured at more than 520 feet.
The only other time the All-Star Game was played at Coors Field, the AL won a 13-8 slugfest in 1998. That game featured 31 hits but only three home runs, one double and one triple. Barry Bonds, Alex Rodriguez, and MVP Roberto Alomar all homered in a game that featured 26 singles.
The under is 11-3 in All-Star Games dating back to 2006, but as its history has shown, anything can happen at Coors Field. The only game to reach double digits since 2006 was the 8-6 AL win in 2018 that went into extra innings.
Ohtani Leads American League
All eyes will be on Shohei Ohtani on Tuesday night. The Los Angeles Angels star will be on the mound for the AL to start the game while also leading off as the designated hitter. He was the top seed on Monday’s Home Run Derby and the betting favorite but lost in the first round in a swing off to Juan Soto.
Ohtani can throw 100 mph on the mound and leads the majors in home runs with 33. He leads a lineup that includes Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Xander Bogaerts, Aaron Judge, and Rafael Devers as the first five hitters. Marcus Semien, Salvador Perez, Teoscar Hernandez, and Cedric Mullins fill out the rest of the AL lineup.
The pitchers to follow Ohtani can light up the radar gun as well. Gerrit Cole struck out 12 in his last start while White Sox hurlers Lance Lynn and Carlos Rodon are having Cy Young caliber seasons. The AL dominated the 2019 game with 16 strikeouts.
Tatis Leads Eager NL Side
The National League lost some star power as Ronald Acuna Jr., Yu Darvish, and Buster Posey were injured this week while Mookie Betts, Yadier Molina, and Jacob deGrom elected to stay home. Superstar shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. will lead off for the NL side, looking to win for the first time since 2012.
This will be the first All-Star Game for Tatis Jr., and he bats in front of Max Muncy and former Colorado Rockies’ third baseman Nolan Arenado. Reigning NL MVP Freddie Freeman cleans up with the Cincinnati Reds duo of Nick Castellanos and Jesse Winker following. JT Realmuto fills in for Posey with newcomers Bryan Reynolds and Adam Frazier rounding out the lineup.
With deGrom at home, manager Dave Roberts hands the ball to Max Scherzer for his fourth career ASG start. Walker Buehler, Corbin Burnes, Zack Wheeler, and Taijuan Walker will follow, though Brandon Woodruff and Kevin Gausman are unavailable. The NL bullpen is stacked with Craig Kimbrel, Alex Reyes, Josh Hader, and Mark Melancon all having at least 20 saves.
Betting Analysis
Everything about recent history screams to take the American League and the under while common sense says to take the over at Coors Field. In the year of the pitcher, stick with the under. As for the game-winner, this is the year the streak finally ends. National League 6, American League 3.
FREE PICK: Under (-105) and National League (-110)
