The Midsummer Cassic returns after a one-year hiatus and the action should be hot and heavy in the thin air of Coors Field. Let’s analyze this annual interleague showdown and determine which side is the right side and keep cashing our MLB picks.
American League vs. National League
Tuesday, July 13, 2021 – 7:30 PM EDT at Coors Field
Even the most casual baseball fan has their interest piqued for the return of the All-Star game after a dismal 2020 season in which it was canceled due to the global pandemic. It’s a return to normal, and that is perhaps the most important reason to cheer this perennial baseball classic. However, those who put their money where their collective mouths are, will be less inclined to dwell on the nostalgia and more apt to focus on winning money.
And to that end, we will take a look at the starting lineups, the backups, and the all-important pitching staffs of each squad. Without further ado, let’s get down to it and make it a winning Tuesday night as we intend to be collecting from the books when the night is through.
American League Starting Lineup
C: Salvador Perez (KC)
1B: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR)
2B: Marcus Semien (TOR)
3B: Rafael Devers (BOS)
SS: Xander Bogaerts (BOS)
OF: Mike Trout (LAA)*
OF: Aaron Judge (NYY)
OF: Teoscar Hernández (TOR)
DH: Shohei Ohtani (LAA)
* Will not play
American League Reserves
C: Mike Zunino (TB)
2B: Whit Merrifield (KC) – Replacement
SS: Bo Bichette (TOR)
SS: Tim Anderson (CWS) – Replacement
SS: Joey Wendle (TB) – Replacement
1B: Matt Olson (OAK)
3B: José Ramírez (CLE)
1B: Jared Walsh (LAA)
OF: Joey Gallo (TEX)
OF: Adolis García (TEX)
OF: Cedric Mullins (BAL)
DH: J.D. Martinez (BOS)
DH: Nelson Cruz (MIN)
American League Starting Pitchers
RHP: Gerrit Cole (NYY)
RHP: Nathan Eovaldi (BOS)
RHP: Kyle Gibson (TEX)
LHP: Yusei Kikuchi (SEA)
RHP: Lance Lynn (CWS)
LHP: Carlos Rodón (CWS)
RHP: Chris Bassitt (OAK) – Replacement
American League Relievers
RHP: Matt Barnes (BOS)
LHP: Aroldis Chapman (NYY)
RHP: Liam Hendriks (CWS)
LHP: Gregory Soto (DET)
National League Starting Lineup
C: Buster Posey (SF)*
1B: Freddie Freeman (ATL)
2B: Adam Frazier (PIT)
3B: Nolan Arenado (STL)
SS: Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD)
OF: Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL)*
OF: Nick Castellanos (CIN)
OF: Jesse Winker (CIN)
* Will not play
National League Reserves
C: J.T. Realmuto (PHI)
2B: Ozzie Albies (ATL)
3B: Kris Bryant (CHC)
SS: Brandon Crawford (SF)
2B: Jake Cronenworth (SD)
3B: Eduardo Escobar (ARI)
3B: Justin Turner (LAD) – Replacement
3B: Manny Machado (SD) – Replacement
1B: Max Muncy (LAD)
SS: Trea Turner (WSH)
OF: Bryan Reynolds (PIT)
OF: Juan Soto (WSH)
OF: Chris Taylor (LAD)
National League Starting Pitchers
RHP: Corbin Burnes (MIL)
RHP: Germán Márquez (COL)
LHP: Trevor Rogers (MIA)
RHP: Zack Wheeler (PHI)
RHP: Walker Buehler (LAD) – Replacement
RHP: Max Scherzer (WSH) – Replacement
RHP: Freddy Peralta (MIL) – Replacement
RHP: Taijuan Walker (NYM) – Replacement
National League Relievers
LHP: Josh Hader (MIL)
RHP: Craig Kimbrel (CHC)
RHP: Mark Melancon (SD)
RHP: Alex Reyes (STL)
Wanna Make a Bet?
Nobody is going to bet the rent on this game and if you do then you’re just looking for an excuse to have big action on a lonesome Tuesday night in July. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have an opinion and in this one, we see that the game will be played in a hitter’s park which makes the American League a better bet in my humble opinion.
The teams have a few big absences with Mike Trout on the AL side of things while Ronald Acuna Jr. will be sidelined for the National League. But one of the most glaring voids in either lineup is Mets’ ace, Jacob deGrom, bowing out for the National League.
“Being named to an All-Star team is a great honor but I’m going to take that time and just enjoy it with my family, whether I pitch Sunday or not,” deGrom said after the Mets’ 4-3 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers in the first game of Wednesday’s doubleheader.
“Hopefully (Taijuan Walker) gets in there and takes my place.”
And indeed, Walker did get his spot on the roster but right now the best pitcher in all of baseball is deGrom and the National League squad will not see him dealing on Tuesday night.
Another aspect to consider is that LA’s Shohei Ohtani is not only crushing the ball, and leading the majors in home runs with 33 dingers on the season, but could also be called upon to pitch in this game which would give the AL a new wrinkle, and one that could inspire his teammates.
In short, the American League is my choice and according to the MLB odds as of this Monday afternoon writing, the AL is +100 at several of the best online books like SugarHouse. Therefore, we will take a shot at the better team with the better price.
MLB Pick: American League +100 at SugarHouse
