AL All-Stars at NL All-Stars Predictions, Odds and Betting Picks
David Genge Published 14/07/2026
The National League enters the 2026 MLB All-Star Game as a -142 favorite at DraftKings, with Cristopher Sánchez getting the start against Dylan Cease. Several of the game's biggest stars, including Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Mike Trout, will not suit up because of injuries or recovery plans, creating a different look for both lineups.
With the total sitting at 7.5 runs, this matchup sets up as a battle between premium pitching staffs and carefully managed bullpens. That combination points toward a lower-scoring game despite the offensive talent on both rosters.
AL All-Stars vs NL All-Stars Game Preview
The National League arrives with one of the deepest collections of healthy position players despite losing Shohei Ohtani to knee fluid and Paul Skenes sitting out to protect his regular-season workload. Kyle Schwarber joins the roster as Ohtani's replacement, while Cristopher Sánchez gets the starting assignment after a strong first half with Philadelphia.
The American League also enters with several notable absences. Aaron Judge remains sidelined with a rib fatigue fracture, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. is unavailable because of a back injury, and Mike Trout continues to recover from hamstring discomfort. Dylan Cease takes the ball first after earning the starting nod for the AL.
Weather should have only a minor effect on scoring. Citizens Bank Park is expected to see clear skies with temperatures around 84°F at first pitch, while a southwest breeze of 5 to 10 mph offers a slight boost toward left field. Bullpen management will be a major storyline, as both managers are expected to spread innings across multiple elite relievers.
Moneyline Pick
Pick the National League moneyline. Cristopher Sánchez gives the NL a quality opening matchup, and the National League still brings more lineup depth despite missing Ohtani. Philadelphia's home crowd should also provide a comfortable environment for Sánchez during his opening inning at Citizens Bank Park.
The American League loses significant middle-of-the-order production without Judge, Guerrero Jr., and Trout. In an exhibition where every run matters, missing three elite hitters is difficult to overcome, especially against an NL pitching staff loaded with frontline arms.
Pick: NL All-Stars ML (-142 at DraftKings).
Run Line Pick
Take the AL All-Stars +1.5. All-Star Games are typically decided by one run because managers rotate pitchers almost every inning and both bullpens feature elite relievers. Even if the National League wins, the extra run provides valuable protection in a game with a modest 7.5-run total.
Pick: AL All-Stars +1.5 (-172 at DraftKings).
Best Player Prop
- Cristopher Sánchez Strikeouts Over 1.5 (-125 at DraftKings). Sánchez only needs two strikeouts, and he has consistently generated swings and misses with his changeup throughout the season. With Cease also expected to throw just one inning, Sánchez has a favorable opportunity to clear this low number before turning the game over to the bullpen.
Game Total Pick
Under 7.5 is the best total play. Both teams will feature elite pitchers throughout the night instead of asking one starter to work deep into the game. Dylan Cease and Cristopher Sánchez begin the matchup before handing the ball to All-Star relievers capable of missing bats at an elite rate. That steady flow of premium arms usually limits extended rallies.
The injury list also removes several of baseball's biggest power threats. Aaron Judge, Shohei Ohtani, Vladimir Guerrero Jr., and Mike Trout are all absent, taking considerable home run potential out of the game. While Citizens Bank Park can favor hitters, the combination of fresh bullpens and shortened outings points toward fewer scoring opportunities.
Pick: Under 7.5 (-104 at DraftKings).
Best Trades for AL All-Stars vs NL All-Stars
Prediction markets view this matchup as slightly favoring the National League while still leaving room for movement before first pitch. Current prices suggest traders expect a competitive game with relatively low scoring.
- Game Winner: YES on National League at 56¢ on Polymarket. The NL enters with slightly greater roster depth after the latest injury replacements, and current market pricing reflects that edge.
- Game Total Under 7.5 Runs: YES at 45¢ on Polymarket. Both clubs are expected to use a parade of elite pitchers, making a lower-scoring exhibition a reasonable outcome.
- Extra Innings: NO at 98¢ on Polymarket. MLB All-Star Games rarely reach extra innings, and both managers have enough bullpen depth to prevent late-game scoring swings.
How to Watch AL All-Stars vs NL All-Stars and Game Info
- Location: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia, PA.
- Date: Tuesday, July 14, 2026
- First pitch: 8:00 p.m. ET
- TV: FOX
- AL All-Stars starting pitcher: Dylan Cease (0-0, -.-- ERA).
- NL All-Stars starting pitcher: Cristopher Sánchez (0-0, -.-- ERA).
- Weather forecast: 84°F, clear skies, southwest wind at 5 to 10 mph.
Final Takeaways
The strongest angle for the MLB All-Star Game 2026 is backing the National League to win while expecting a lower-scoring contest. The NL maintains better overall lineup depth despite several late roster changes, and both teams will rely on elite pitching throughout the night. The injury absences on the American League side make offense more difficult to project, reinforcing the Under as the strongest complementary play.
Check the latest odds and line movement for AL All-Stars vs NL All-Stars at betting.net before placing your bets. All odds as of 8:00 PM ET on July 14. Odds sourced from DraftKings.
