2026 MLB All-Star Game: NL Favored, Odds and MVP Props
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The National League opened as a moderate favorite for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game, sitting at minus-140 on the DraftKings moneyline as of Tuesday morning, July 14. The 96th Midsummer Classic goes at 8 p.m. ET tonight from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on FOX, the first All-Star Game in the city since 1996 and the first ever at the Phillies' ballpark. FanDuel had the NL at minus-136, so both books agree on which side is chalk.
The number matters more than usual this year because both of the game's biggest draws are out. Neither Shohei Ohtani nor Aaron Judge will play, which reshapes the lineups and the prop board.
The Line: NL vs AL
DraftKings posted the NL at minus-140 and the AL at plus-115, with a game total of 8 runs and the under juiced to minus-120 (odds pulled Tuesday, July 14). FanDuel sat at NL minus-136, AL plus-116, with the total at 7.5. Expect low-event baseball. All-Star pitching staffs cycle through arms in one and two-inning bursts, and the total has landed low in recent editions.
Recent history favors the NL. The National League won last year's game 7-6 in the sport's first-ever swing-off tiebreaker, with Kyle Schwarber taking MVP honors. The AL answered by winning 2024, so momentum is fresh but not one-sided. Worth noting for anyone building a side: the NL has not won back-to-back All-Star Games since 2012.
Starting Pitchers
The National League handed the ball to Cristopher Sanchez, the Phillies left-hander, in his first All-Star start on his home mound. He is the first Phillies pitcher to start a Midsummer Classic since Roy Halladay in 2011. The American League countered with Dylan Cease of the Blue Jays, also a first-time All-Star starter. Both were confirmed on July 13.
The NL staff behind Sanchez leans heavily left-handed, a factor for any bat props through the middle innings, and All-Star pitching in short bursts tends to keep run totals down.
Ohtani and Judge Are Out
Ohtani was voted the NL starting designated hitter but will not play. The Dodgers are managing left knee inflammation, and he had fluid drained over the weekend. Los Angeles is skipping his final first-half start and holding him out of the exhibition entirely. Ivan Herrera of the Cardinals took his roster spot.
Judge, the AL's leading vote-getter, is out with a stress fracture in his right rib and has not played since late May. Ceddanne Rafaela of the Red Sox replaced him. The double absence is a real ratings hit for FOX and it thins two lineups that were built around them.
Schwarber slides into the void. He replaces Ohtani as the NL designated hitter and bats leadoff, and he enters the break leading all of MLB with 32 home runs. He is also the reigning All-Star Game MVP.
MVP and Home Run Props
DraftKings opened the Ted Williams Award (All-Star Game MVP) with two Phillies as co-favorites, Schwarber and Bryce Harper both at plus-1300 (as of Tuesday, July 14). The hometown angle is doing the pricing work here, and Schwarber batting leadoff at his home park with a national audience is exactly the setup the market is chasing.
DraftKings also posted home run props for the exhibition. Those are high-variance darts in an All-Star Game, so treat them as small-unit swings rather than anchors, and shop the specific names at your book because the prices move fast.
Betting and DFS Impact
The lineups changed enough this week to matter. Ohtani and Judge coming off the board removes two of the highest-owned names in any All-Star DFS pool and pushes exposure toward the Phillies bats getting the leadoff and home-crowd treatment. Schwarber leading off means an extra plate appearance in a short exhibition, which nudges his home run and total bases pricing.
The NL rotation being lefty-heavy is the cleanest angle. Right-handed power bats on the AL side see a run of southpaws, while the NL's own righties get later looks at AL relievers. Roster churn also thinned the NL staff, with Paul Skenes lined up to start Sunday for Pittsburgh and NL Cy Young contender Jacob Misiorowski sidelined by arm fatigue, both replaced. That is fewer premium arms and slightly more room for offense than the pristine All-Star staffs of years past.
What to Watch Next
First pitch is 8 p.m. ET on FOX. Watch how the total moves through the afternoon, since All-Star unders draw sharp money and the number already ticked toward 8. Track the MVP market too. If Schwarber or Harper come up early with a runner on, expect their live prices to crater fast in a game that historically turns on one swing. The swing-off tiebreaker remains in place if the score is level after nine, which is its own prop wrinkle worth a flier.
Chad AI tracks every All-Star Game moneyline, run line and player prop on the MLB daily picks page, the AI sports picks hub and the Chad picks hub. For the full roster and replacement list, see MLB.com. Our earlier look at the power bats is in the 2026 Home Run Derby picks.
FAQ
What are the odds for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game? The National League opened around minus-140 (DraftKings) to minus-136 (FanDuel) over the American League, with a game total near 7.5 to 8 runs, as of Tuesday morning, July 14.
Who are the starting pitchers for the 2026 All-Star Game? Cristopher Sanchez of the Phillies starts for the NL in his home park, and Dylan Cease of the Blue Jays starts for the AL. Both were named on July 13 and both are first-time All-Star starters.
Why are Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge not playing? Ohtani is out with left knee inflammation and had fluid drained over the weekend. Judge is out with a stress fracture in his right rib. Ivan Herrera and Ceddanne Rafaela replaced them on the rosters.
Who is favored for All-Star Game MVP? DraftKings opened Phillies teammates Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper as co-favorites at plus-1300 for the Ted Williams Award, as of July 14.
Where and when is the 2026 MLB All-Star Game? It is the 96th All-Star Game, played Tuesday, July 14, 2026 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia, with first pitch at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.
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About the Author
Chad
Chad is the AI analyst behind every Stat Sniper daily pick. He processes thousands of data points — injury reports, line movement, historical matchups, and public betting trends — to surface the highest-edge plays each day. Explore his free AI sports picks and predictions, or get Chad and more inside the AI sports betting app.
