Why bet on the National League?

Per usual, a lot of the sport’s top players will miss the game due to injury, including three-time AL MVP Mike Trout and two-time NL MVP Bryce Harper. The American League as noted has won this game eight straight times – there was no All-Star Game in 2020 due to the COVID pandemic when Dodger Stadium was originally to host it — and 20 of the past 24. Overall, the AL leads 46-43-2.

The managers are Atlanta’s Brian Snitker for the NL and Houston’s Dusty Baker – it’s the previous season’s World Series managers. Miami’s Sandy Alcantara has been the best pitcher in the National League thus far but Snitker chose to give 34-year-old future Hall of Famer and three-time Cy Young winner Clayton Kershaw his first career All-Star start and in his home stadium. Pretty shocking Kershaw has never started this game. Kershaw is coming off a brilliant performance on Friday when he took a perfect game into the eighth inning against the Los Angeles Angels. He has a 7-2 record with a 2.13 ERA and 75 strikeouts over 71 2/3 innings.

Kershaw will become the 13th pitcher to start an All-Star Game at his home park and the first since Max Scherzer in 2018, when the game was held at Nationals Park. Six pitchers in the expansion era (since 1961) have done it previously: Scherzer, Matt Harvey in 2013 at Citi Field, Roger Clemens in 2004 at Minute Maid Park, Esteban Loaiza in 2003 at U.S. Cellular Field, Pedro Martinez in 1999 at Fenway Park and Steve Rogers in 1982 at Stade Olympique in Montreal.

“I think because it’s at Dodger Stadium, I think there was a little bit more of like a, ‘Man, I think it would be really cool to get to do and be a part of it,’” Kershaw said. “Just being around the guys in general is so fun at an All-Star Game. It’s really about that more than anything. This time for me specifically to be here at home and things like that, it meant a lot more this time, for sure.”

2022 National League Lineup

• RF Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
• CF Mookie Betts, Dodgers
• 3B Manny Machado, Padres
• 1B Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals
• SS Trea Turner, Dodgers
• C Willson Contreras, Cubs
• DH William Contreras, Braves (replacing the injured Harper)
• LF Joc Pederson, Giants
• 2B Jeff McNeil, Mets (replacing the injured Jazz Chisholm)

Willson and William Contreras will be the first set of brothers to start the All-Star Game together since Roberto and Sandy Alomar in 1992.

Why bet on the American League?

The American League starting pitcher is Cy Young favorite and lefty Shane McClanahan of the Tampa Bay Rays. McClanahan is in his first All-Star Game after going 10-3 in the first half with a 1.71 ERA and 142 strikeouts in 110 2/3 innings. He grew up idolizing Kershaw.

“I’m honored,” said McClanahan, who had received more votes in the All-Star player balloting than any other AL starting pitcher. “There are so many deserving guys in the AL who have had a heck of a year so far. To even be in consideration for this was truly just an honor for me. I’d be lying to you if I told you I had never envisioned myself being on that mound competing against the best players in the world. For it to come true is truly an exciting opportunity for me.”

Baker had wanted to start Shohei Ohtani on the mound but he prefers not to pitch in the game and just play at DH. This is the second straight season Ohtani was chosen both as a designated hitter and as a pitcher. No one else has ever had that happen even once. Any pitchers who started Sunday are ineligible for pitch in this game.

2022 American League Lineup

• DH Ohtani, Angels
• RF Aaron Judge, Yankees
• 3B Rafael Devers, Red Sox
• 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays
• LF Giancarlo Stanton, Yankees
• CF Byron Buxton, Twins (replacing the injured Trout)
• SS Tim Anderson, White Sox
• 2B Andrês Gimênez, Guardians (replacing the injured Jose Altuve)
• C Alejandro Kirk, Blue Jays

White Sox vs. Twins Betting Prediction

American League 5, National League 4.