By Kenny Burgess
Since the MLB has lowered the stakes of the All-Star games, some viewers might not follow it as closely, but the American League is in the midst of a historic streak in the Mid-Summer Classic. Going back to 2013, the AL hasn’t lost an All-Star, riding a winning streak of nine straight games. This is the second-longest streak in the history of the game as the National League won 11 straight games from 1972-1983. The starting pitcher and lineups have been announced for the game and we’re going to see if the AL will be able to take home its 10th title.
It’s no surprise the AL is favored heading into the game (-120) and Gerrit Cole of the New York Yankees will get the ball to start the game. This is Cole’s sixth All-Star game appearance, but it will be the first time he gets to start, which he’s more than deserving of getting as he finished up the first half of the regular season with a 2.85 ERA and 9-2 record.
The AL is the younger team with five of the nine starters making their first career All-Star game appearances. Not to mention, two of the AL’s best players and starters won’t be playing — the league’s MVP from last year, Aaron Judge, won’t be playing as he is still dealing with his toe injury that he suffered from in Los Angeles, and the three-time AL MVP, Mike Trout, will also be missing the game due to an injury. With the AL missing some of its marquee names on top of having a younger squad, this could be the year the NL gets back into the win column.
The NL is looking to break a long streak of losses in this game and unlike the AL, a lot of its players have been a part of this game before. The NL is the underdog (+120), but will be throwing one Zac Gallen to start in his first All-Star game appearance. Gallen has been a catalyst for the Arizona Diamondbacks and has a 3.04 ERA to go along with 11 wins.
The NL will be led by All-Star mainstays Ronald Acuna Jr., Freddie Freeman, and Mookie Betts as it looks to break the streak and I just have a feeling this might just be the year. With the special season Acuna is having and some of the experienced veterans, I think they have a real shot of ending this skid. Experts however have thought that in past years and it obviously hasn’t come to fruition. Either way, it should be an exciting night celebrating the game’s brightest stars and there will be some electric moments regardless of the outcome.
Here are the Full Starting Lineups for Both Teams:
The American League lineup:
- Marcus Semien, 2B
- Shohei Ohtani, DH
- Randy Arozarena, LF
- Corey Seager, SS
- Yandy Diaz, 1B
- Adolis Garcia, RF
- Austin Hays, CF
- Josh Jung, 3B
- Jonah Heim, C
The National League lineup:
- Ronald Acuna, RF
- Freddie Freeman, 1B
- Mookie Betts, CF
- J.D. Martinez, DH
- Nolan Arenado, 3B
- Luis Arraez, 2B
- Sean Murphy, C
- Corbin Carroll, LF
- Orlando Arcia, SS
Photo credits: New York Yankees & Diamondbacks’ Instagram
