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The All-Star Game is always one of the most exciting events on the Major League Baseball calendar, and 2026 is no exception.
Broadcast on FOX from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday at 8 pm ET, with pregame coverage beginning at 7 pm, this year’s All-Star Game pits some of the best players in baseball against each other.
Derek Jeter, David Ortiz, Alex Rodriguez, Kevin Burkhardt and Ken Rosenthal will provide pre-game coverage and analysis, along with special guest Jon Bernthal featuring a tribute to players who served in the military voiced by Morgan Freeman. There will also be a tribute to legendary NBA star Julius Erving, who played the vast majority of his career in Philadelphia.
Big stage, star players and a lot of interesting young players getting their chance on a national platform. These are some of the most interesting and exciting stories to follow.
mike trout
Trout made his final All-Star Game appearance in 2023, as the 34-year-old, soon to be 35, has battled injuries for most of the past few seasons. But a rejuvenated Trout has once again proven to be back on top of his game in a mostly healthy first half. While he’s a surefire Hall of Famer at his first pick, you never know how much longer he’ll be able to maintain his production as he ages, making every opportunity at the national level must-see television. Not to mention, the Los Angeles Angels’ struggles to reach the postseason mean the All-Star Game is Trout’s biggest showcase.
MIKE TROUT’S TORRIOUS ANGELS SERIES AGAINST YANKEES ENDS IN HISTORIC FASHION AFTER HITTING FIFTH HOMER
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels before the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, New York, on April 13, 2025. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
young stars
Both the American League and National League teams will feature some of the brightest young players in baseball, some of whom will be making their first appearance on such a big stage.
Tampa Bay Rays star Junior Caminero starts in the outfield after an excellent first half that showed his 2025 season was no fluke. Playing the first half at just 22 years old, Caminero hit 28 home runs in his team’s first 94 games, putting him on pace for 48 in a full season, with an outstanding walk rate of 12.9%. He’s already been 24 runs more valuable offensively than the average hitter, and the national platform can deservedly help raise his profile.
Ben Rice of the New York Yankees starts at first base and, although he is often overshadowed by teammate Aaron Judge, has quietly been one of the most productive hitters in baseball over the past two seasons. So far in 2026, he has been 66% better than league average on offense.
FORMER HOME RUN DERBY PARTICIPANT DISCUSS WHY MLB ALL-STAR FESTIVITIES ARE THE BEST IN SPORTS
The National League starting lineup features shortstop CJ Abrams and outfielder Andy Pages. Abrams has been a throwback player, hitting 20 home runs and stealing 15 bases in the first half with a .275 batting average. Another player who doesn’t get the attention he deserves thanks to playing in Washington, DC, Abrams is still only 25 years old and establishing himself as one of the most exciting young shortstops in baseball. Similarly, Pages is overshadowed thanks to playing in Los Angeles, but he has become a defensive force and has been the second-most valuable offensive player on the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup. Not to mention, 2025 Rookie of the Year Drake Baldwin, catcher for the Atlanta Braves, starts behind the plate.
Both teams have a deep bench of young players, with the American League featuring rookie Kevin McGonigle, surprising Chicago White Sox infielder Miguel Vargas, outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela and Japanese import Muetaka Murakami, who has hit 20 home runs in just 60 games.
The National League has Sal Stewart, who had an impressive season with the Cincinnati Reds, Pete Crow-Armstrong, who turned his season around and appears headed for another 30-30 campaign with the Chicago Cubs, and James Wood, quickly becoming one of the most feared hitters in the game with the Nationals.
The Philadelphia Phillies will host the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. ((Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images))
fireballs
If there is one thing that has become vitally important in modern baseball, it is speed. And the All-Star Game will have a lot of that, particularly now that several pitchers know they will be pitching in shorter stretches.
Chase Burns, who averages nearly 98 mph with his fastball, has been outstanding for the Cincinnati Reds. Paul Skenes makes his second appearance in the All-Star Game and establishes himself as a perennial Cy Young candidate. Philadelphia’s homegrown closer, Jhoan Duran, will bring his 100+ mph sinker to the mound, as will the Padres’ dominant closer, Mason Miller.
Then there’s Jacob Misiorowski. “The Miz” has been nearly unbeatable so far, with just a 1.62 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 111 innings. It’s not surprising considering his fastball averages over 100 mph, even as a starter, and he set a new record this year for the fastest pitcher thrown by a starter in the Statcast era.
On the American League side, Aroldis Chapman continues to rank in the 90s even in his age-38 season, as does dominant Guardians closer Cade Smith and Blue Jays reliever Louis Varland.
Home favorite Christopher Sanchez starts for the National League, while Dylan Cease gets the ball for the American League.
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Another change of direction?
The 2025 All-Star Game ended regulation with a 6-6 tie, leading to a new form of tiebreaker: the swing-off. Three players, three swings and more home runs win. And Phillies star Kyle Schwarber did the job for the National League, going three for three. The format was widely praised for adding drama and deciding the outcome quickly and excitingly. Will we see another one in 2026?
Even with the usual withdrawals and injury replacements, which unfortunately include Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, there is plenty of star power in the All-Star field. And the raucous Philadelphia crowd will have plenty of reasons to cheer on local stars like Bryce Harper, Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, Durán, Sánchez and Jesús Luzardo.
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is introduced before the MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (Matt Slocum/AP)
Here are the complete starting lineups and reserves for both leagues:
ALABAMA:
- Mike Trout – CF, LAA
- Yordan Álvarez – DH, HOU
- Shea Langeliers – C, ATH
- Junior Caminero — 3B, TB
- Bobby Witt Jr. – SS, KC
- Cody Bellinger – RF, New York
- Ben Rice – 1B, New York
- Riley Greene – LF, DET
- Ernie Clemente – 2B, TOR
Netherlands:
- Kyle Schwarber – DH, PHI
- Juan Soto — LF, NYM
- Freddie Freeman – 1B, boy
- CJ Abrams – SS, WSH
- Max Muncy – 3B, boy
- Ozzie Albies – 2B, ATL
- Brandon Marsh – RF, PHI
- Andy Pages – CF, LAD
- Drake Baldwin – C, ATL
American League Reserves:
Receivers
- Dillon Dingler – C, DET
- Adley Rutschman – C, BAL
Infielders
- Travis Bazzana—INF, CLE
- Willson Contreras — INF, BOS
- Kevin McGonigle – INF, DET
- Miguel Vargas — INF, CWS
- Munetaka Murakami—INF, CWS
Gardeners
- Randy Arozarena – OF, MAR
- Ceddanne Rafaela — OF, BOS
- Tristan Peters – OF, CWS
Designated hitter
National League Reserves:
Receivers
- William Contreras — C, MIL
- Hunter Goodman – C, COL
Infielders
- Luis Arraez — INF, SF
- Bryce Harper – INF, PHI
- Otto López — INF, MIA
- Matt Olson – INF, ATL
- Sal Stewart – INF, CIN
Gardeners
- Corbin Carroll – OF, AZ
- Pete Crow-Armstrong—OF, CHC
- Jordan Walker – OF, STL
- James Wood – OF, WSH
Designated hitter
- Iván Herrera — BD, STL
American League pitchers:
- Dylan Cease – RHP, TOR
- Parker Messick – LZ, CLE
- Nick Martínez – RHP, TB
- Drew Rasmussen – RHP, TB
- Joe Ryan – RHP, MIN
- Cam Schlittler — RHP, New York
- Ranger Suárez – LZ, BOS
- Michael Wacha – RHP, Kansas City
Relief pitchers
- Bryan Baker – RHP, TB
- Aroldis Chapman – PI, BOS
- Jacob Latz — LZ, TEXAS
- Cade Smith – RHP, CLE
- Louis Varland – RHP, TOR
National League Pitchers:
Starting pitchers
- Braxton Ashcraft – RHP, PIT
- Chase Burns – RHP, CIN
- Jesús Luzardo — LHP, PHI
- Max Meyer – LD, missing in action
- Jacob Misiorowski – RHP, MIL
- Eduardo Rodríguez — LHP, AZ
- Chris Sale – LHP, ATL
- Cristopher Sánchez — LHP, PHI
- Paul Skenes – RHP, PIT
- Logan Webb – RHP, SF
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto – RHP, LAD
- Justin Wrobleski – LHP, RHP
- Foster Griffin – LZ, WSH
Relief pitchers
- Jhoan Durán — LD, PHI
- Raisel Iglesias – RHP, ATL
- Mason Miller – RHP, SD
- Riley O’Brien – RHP, STL
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The 2026 MLB All-Star Game airs on Fox at 8 pm ET, and pre-game festivities begin at 7 pm ET.
