The 92nd MLB All-Star Game will take place tonight in Los Angeles at Dodgers Stadium – MLB’s 3rd-oldest ballpark. The ASG remains one of the crown jewels of all major sports and is perhaps the most storied and revered All-Star game.
Still, when there is baseball, there are plenty of bets to go around. Here are our best bets for tonight’s showdown:
Over 8 runs (EVEN)
If last night’s Home Run Derby is any indication of how the ASG will play out, expect to see some long balls. And with some of the top pitchers (Justin Verlander, Gerrit Cole, Corbin Burnes, Max Fried) opting not to play in the contest, there is more room for star sluggers to get some extra at-bats and opportunities to drive in runs. Take the Over.
Mookie Betts or Shohei Ohtani to hit a HR (+140)
If there are two players with the likelihood to hit a home run tonight, it is these two guys. Betts will be hitting leadoff for the NL in front of a stadium that will be predominantly loaded with Dodger fans while Ohtani plays just a few miles down the I-5 in Orange County at Angels Stadium- an easy trip for Halos’ fans. One of these LA guys should give the crowd a show.
All-Star Game MVP: Freddie Freeman +4000
The newest Dodger and World Series MVP will take home the ASG MVP honors in this storybook ending. What better way to prove to Freeman’s new hometown that he has no regrets about signing with LA over Atlanta than to be crowned MVP in Dodger Stadium wearing the Dodger blue. While Freeman is not expected to be in the starting lineup, he will get his chance to drive in some runs in the middle to later innings. Especially if the NL falls behind early, Freeman can sub in to save the game.
Team to Score 1st: National League +115
The AL is favored primarily because it has the benefit of batting first. However, the value lies with the home league. Mookie Betts will want to start off hot in front of the home crowd and will most likely be batting leadoff. And with Trea Turner in the starting lineup, you can expect the SS, who ranks 4th in the league in total hits, to get an opportunity to drive in some runs in front of his home base.
Winner: National League -115
Yes, the AL has won 9 of the last 10 ASGs, but this year, in the historic Dodgers Stadium, the home team will win the honors. The AL will be without Jose Altuve, Mike Trout, Yordan Alvarez, George Springer, Justin Verlander, and Gerrit Cole, who all are out of the game due to their decision not to play or because of injury. And while the NL will be missing some of its stars (Bryce Harper, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Nolan Arenado, Corbin Burnes, and Josh Hader), the league has the edge of batting in the bottom half of the inning and will get the final at-bat if needed. Expect Mookie Betts, Trea Turner, and Freddie Freeman to perform in front of the home crowd and Tony Gonsolin and Clayton Kershaw to pitch shutout innings. The National League wins 5-4.
