The 2022 MLB All-Star festivities continue on Tuesday, July 19 at Dodger Stadium for the 2022 MLB All-Star Game. The American League against the National League, and it starts at 8:00pm Eastern, and the event will be broadcast live on FOX.
The American League has won the last eight games against the National League, not losing since 2012. Overall, the AL is 20-3-1 against the NL in the last 24 MLB All-Star games.
The American League will be managed by Astros Dusty Baker, and his starters are pretty much the best of the AL East, as Alejandro Kirk (Blue Jays), Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), Rafael Devers (Red Sox), Aaron Judge (Yankees) and Giancarlo Stanton (Yankees) will share the field. Expected starters José Altuve (Astros) and Mike Trout (Angels) will not participate due to injury. The bench for the AL has 10 first time All-Star selections, while Miguel Cabrera (Tigers) makes his 12th trip and JD Martinez (Red Sox) is here for the fifth time. The American League pitching staff won’t feature Justin Verlander (Astros) or Gerritt Cole (Yankees) due to them pitching this weekend. However, the available arms include Shohei Ohtani (Angels), Nestor Cortés Jr. (Yankees), Alek Manoah (Blue Jays), Paul Blackburn (Athletics) and Liam Hendriks (White Sox). Overall, this is a very fresh roster, with a lot of young faces here for the first or second time. That should create some motivation as these players are on the big stage with a chance to show out for fans who may not get a chance to see them play most nights.
The National League will be managed by Braves Brian Snitker, and he’ll have his own star outfielder Ronald Acuña Jr. to start. Scheduled starters in second baseman Jazz Chisholm Jr. (Marlins) and DH Bryce Harper (Phillies) won’t play due to injuries, while Trea Turner (Dodgers), Manny Machado (Padres) and Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals) headline the NL starting lineup. The NL reserves include Freddie Freeman (Dodgers), Pete Alonso (Mets), Kyle Schwarber (Phillies) and possible trade candidate Juan Soto (Nationals). Albert Pujols (Cardinals) is making his 11th all star appearance. The National League pitchers include CY Young favorite Sandy Alcántara (Marlins), Tony Gonsolin (Dodgers), Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers), Edwin Díaz (Mets) and Luis Castillo (Reds). The NL pitching staff takes a hit with Corbin Burnes (Brewers), Max Fried (Braves), Josh Hader (Brewers) and Carlos Rodon (Giants) not available. This is one of the more talented teams the National League has had in quite some time, and there should be some motivation to end the drought.
It’s easy to lean toward the over in these sorts of spots, but we’ve seen 10 of the last 15 meetings produce 7 or fewer runs. The pitching usually dominates these games, and we can’t forget that the starters, the best bats for the most part, they usually only get one at bat and are then taken out. It’s the best pitchers on the planet inning after inning, and they’re going up against the reserves. As we’ve seen in the postseason, great pitching often has the edge against great hitting. The All-Star game isn’t much different.
I’ll ride the trend of low scoring games and back the under.