The midsummer classic may need to be renamed the American League invitational should the current trend continue in the MLB All-Star Game 2022 Tuesday night. Check the American League vs National League Odds below.
Overall, the American League has won the contest eight straight times and now leads the all-time series 46-43-2. There are many factors that make this difficult from an MLB picks perspective.
Firstly, there has already been a long list of players who are dropping out of the game with various ailments.
Baseball Perspective
Also, from a baseball perspective, this game isn’t played like a traditional game. Pitchers seldom throw more than an inning, and the managers of both sides will try to make sure they get as many players in the game as they can.
With that in mind, let’s try to sort out the MLB odds on this contest and see where there is value in the game itself.
American League vs. National League Odds
Anyone interested in MLB matchups will see the oddsmakers have this game as a coinflip. The National League is -116 on the moneyline, while the American League is -102. The over/under has been set at eight runs.
American League vs. National League Betting Preview
Who Is Starting for the AL?
The pitcher who has been the best one in the American League, Gerrit Cole, will be unavailable to start. Same with Houston Astros’ stalwart Justin Verlander, who will miss the game with an injury. Tampa Bay Rays lefty Shane McClanahan may get the nod to lead things off.
McClanahan Performance Recap
McClanahan tops the league in ERA at 1.71. He also is tied for second with 147 strikeouts and has a 10-3 record.
McClanahan hasn’t allowed more than one earned run in a start since June 3, when he allowed the White Sox to plate two runs in six innings of work. The most runs McClanahan has given up all season with three, which he did twice in April.
Who Is Starting for the NL?
Marlins pitcher Sany Alcantara likely deserves the odd to be the starting pitcher. He is 9-4 this season with a 1.76 ERA and 123 strikeouts.
He has helped keep an underwhelming Miami team around .500 this season. However, sentiment will likely carry the day with this decision.
Clayton Kershaw Performance Recap
Anyone making MLB picks today will see since this game is in Los Angeles; it is likely Clayton Kershaw will get the nod. The veteran lefty is also off to a strong start as he has a 7-2 record with a 2.13 ERA.
In the All-Star game, though, who starts is really immaterial, most of the pitchers only throw one inning and sometimes less than one to keep everyone involved in the proceedings. American League vs National League Odds
Braves’ ace pitcher Max Fried is unavailable. Milwaukee Brewers pitcher Corbin Burnes also dropped out.
American League vs. National League Picks and Predictions
Total Bets for the MLB All-Star Game
When it comes to MLB matchups this season, the power seems to have swung back to the pitchers. There are three pitchers in the league with ERAs under 2.00 and 22 who have kept their ERA below three.
A number of top hitters — including:
- Jose Altuve
- Mike Trout
- Bryce Harper
Won’t be participating in the game due to injuries. Four of the past five MLB All-Star games have produced less than eight runs. With the talent of the pitching staff involved in this year’s contest, the number of runs scored should be low again.
Moneyline for the MLB All-Star Game
There is no reason the American League’s dominance should have stretched this far. Since 1988, the junior circuit has gone 26-6-1 to take the overall lead in the series.
With MLB dropping the rule that the winning side would earn home field advantage in the World Series, there is no extra motivation for either side.
Who to Bet On?
With that being said, more of the National League’s top pitching will be participating in this year’s contest.
Having the last at-bat also will be helpful for the NL. Expect the senior circuit to stop the bleeding and half the American League’s eight-game winning streak.
MLB Pick: NL under 8 (-125)
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