The Midsummer Classic is here! The National League is looking for its first win in the All-Star Game since 2012, when Hall of Famers Chipper Jones, Derek Jeter and David Ortiz made appearances for both squads. The MLB bettors.
National League & American League Lineups
Starting pitchers go no more than two innings in the All-Star Game. It’s also important to note what pitchers will not be in action today due to injury. All of these pitchers have been replaced by deserving options. Shohei Ohtani is unlikely to pitch due to a lingering finger issue but will be slated into the two-hole as a batter for the AL. Also on the injury report for the AL is Cy Young candidate Shane McClanahan. On the NL side, Atlanta Braves duo Spencer Strider and Bryce Elder will not take the mound, and neither will future Hall of Famer Clayton Kershaw or Cubs standout Marcus Stroman.
Now for the fun part, the batting. The NL is loaded at the top with MVP favorite Ronald Acuna Jr., and Dodgers teammates Mookie Betts and Freddie Freeman. These hitters are good for two plate appearances and then will be moved to the bench for reserves to get a turn at the plate. The NL has no injuries on the hitting side.
The AL on the other hand had to shuffle their lineup with Mike Trout and Aaron Judge not being able to suit up. Still, they’re locked and loaded with young talent that is ready to put on a show in Seattle.
Best All-Star Game Player Props
Ronald Acuna Jr. to Score a Run
Ronald Acuna Jr. is the talk of the NL this year. He’s looking to become only the fourth player in MLB history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season. He’s second in all of baseball in batting average at .331 and has scored the most runs in the league. That’s exactly where we’re targeting him tonight.
Acuna will most likely get two chances at the plate and is slotted in the lineup behind lethal hitters that have great career numbers against AL starter Gerrit Cole. Acuna is 1-for-2 off Cole with a home run, and Freeman and Betts have combined for 14 hits in 37 at-bats against Cole. Acuna is also a threat to steal at any time and get in scoring position to get the NL on the board early.
All-Star Game Player Prop Pick: Ronald Acuna Jr. to Score a Run +115 at FanDuel
Ronald Acuna Jr. to Win All-Star Game MVP
Like any All-Star Game or sporting event that crowns an MVP, it usually goes to the winning side. The NL hasn’t crowned an MVP in the All-Star Game since 2012, when Melky Cabrera won it. With pitchers only throwing one to two innings max, it’s a hitter’s award. Since 2010, Shane Bieber and Mariano Rivera are the only pitchers to win the award. I’m siding with the NL tonight at -108 on FanDuel Sportsbook and Acuna to hoist the trophy at +1000.
All-Star Game Player Prop Pick: Ronald Acuna Jr. to win MVP +1000 at FanDuel
