All-Star Match Up

The 2018 MLB All-Star Game is set to kick off July, 17 at 7:30 EST at the Washington Nationals Park in Washington, D.C. With the home run derby wrapped up, all eyes are focused on which team will come out on top with both teams having won 43 games each since the inaugural game in 1933.

With superstar players leading the American League like Mookie Betts, Mike Trout, and J.D. Martinez, the AL lineup looks solid, but with Nolan Arenado, Paul Goldschmidt and Freddie Freeman lined up in the two, three and four slots, the National League is looking strong, too. Starting pitchers Chris Sale and Max Scherzer are facing off against each other for the second time in two years and both lead their prospective leagues in strikeouts.

But, despite dominating interleague play for the last 14 seasons, the teams of the AL aren’t shining so bright this year. The White Sox, Royals, and Orioles are all on pace for a losing season and their interleague play hasn’t impressed with a combined loss of 13-28.

The teams of the National League, on the other hand, have vastly improved since the mid-2000s with teams like the Cubs and Dodgers leading the way. As a result of their success, clubs like the Pirates and the Reds have picked up the pace to become playoff contenders after overcoming struggles last year. This year they dominated the AL Central going 18-4 in interleague play.

Of course, these numbers may not speak for the all-stars that are going head to head in tonight’s matchup and let’s face it, there isn’t as much at stake anymore. Since 2016, the outcome of the All-Star Game no longer determines who will get the home-field advantage at the World Series, but bragging rights are always a point of motivation. So, will the strength and star-power of the AL give them their sixth straight victory over their rivals tonight, or will the depth and momentum of the NL be the factor that puts them over the top in tonight’s star-studded game?