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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.
Airing on FOX from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia on Tuesday at 8 p.m. ET, with pregame coverage starting at 7 p.m., 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 pregame coverage and analysis, along with special guest Jon Bernthal presenting a tribute to players who served in the armed forces 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 plenty of exciting young players getting their shot on a national platform. Here’s some of the most interesting, exciting storylines to follow.
Mike Trout
Trout made his last All-Star Game appearance in 2023, as the 34, soon to be 35-year-old has battled injuries for most of the past few seasons. But a rejuvenated Trout has once again proven to be back at the top of his game in a mostly healthy first half. While he’s a surefire first-ballot Hall of Famer, you never know how much longer he’ll be able to maintain his production as he ages, making every opportunity at a national level must-see TV. Not to mention that the Los Angeles Angels’, uh, struggles, to reach the postseason mean that the All-Star Game is the biggest showcase Trout has.
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Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels stands prior to the game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, N.Y., on April 13, 2025. (Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire)
Young stars
Both the American and National League teams will feature some of baseball’s brightest young players, some making their first appearance on such a large stage.
Tampa Bay Rays star Junior Caminero starts in the outfield after an outstanding first half that proved 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 over a full season, with an outstanding 12.9% walk rate. Already, he’s been 24 runs more valuable on offense than the average hitter, and the national platform can help deservedly raise his profile.
Ben Rice, of the New York Yankees, starts at first base, and while he’s frequently overshadowed by teammate Aaron Judge, he’s quietly been one of the most productive hitters in baseball the past two seasons. Thus far in 2026, he’s been 66% better than league average on offense.
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The National League starting lineup features shortstop CJ Abrams and outfielder Andy Pages. Abrams has been a bit of a throwback style 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 just 25 and establishing himself as one of the most exciting young shortstops in baseball. Pages similarly gets overshadowed, thanks to playing in LA, but he’s turned into a defensive force and he’s been the second most valuable offensive player in the Dodgers star-studded lineup. Not to mention that 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 AL featuring rookie Kevin McGonigle, surprising Chicago White Sox infielder Miguel Vargas, outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, and Japanese import Muetaka Murakami, who’s hit 20 homers in just 60 games.
The National League has Sal Stewart, having an impressive season for the Cincinnati Reds, Pete Crow-Armstrong, who’s turned his season around and seems headed for another 30-30 campaign with the Chicago Cubs, and James Wood, rapidly becoming one of the most feared hitters in the sport with the Nationals.
The Philadelphia Phillies will host the 2026 MLB All-Star Game at Citizens Bank Park. ((Photo by Hunter Martin/Getty Images))
Fireballers
If there’s one thing that’s become vitally important across modern baseball, it’s velocity. And the All-Star Game will have plenty of it, particularly with several pitchers knowing they’ll be pitching in shortened stints.
Chase Burns, who averages nearly 98 mph on his fastball, has been outstanding for the Cincinnati Reds. Paul Skenes makes his second All-Star Game appearance as he establishes himself as a perennial Cy Young candidate. Jhoan Duran, hometown closer in Philadelphia, will bring his 100+ mph sinker to the mound, as will dominant Padres closer Mason Miller.
Then there’s Jacob Misiorowski. “The Miz” has been nearly unhittable thus far, with just a 1.62 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 111 innings. Not surprising considering his fastball averages over 100mph, even as a starter, and he set a new record this year with the fastest pitcher thrown by a starting pitcher in the Statcast era.
On the AL side, Aroldis Chapman continues to sit in the high-90s even in his age-38 season, as does dominant Guardians closer Cade Smith and Blue Jays reliever Louis Varland.
Hometown favorite Christopher Sanchez starts for the NL, while Dylan Cease gets the ball for the AL.
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Another Swing-off?
The 2025 All-Star Game ended regulation in a 6-6 tie, leading to a new form of tiebreaker: the swing-off. Three players, three swings, most home runs wins. And Phillies star Kyle Schwarber got the job done for the National League, going three-for-three. The format was widely praised for adding drama and deciding the outcome in quick, exciting fashion. Will we see another one in 2026?
Even with the usual dropouts and injury replacements, unfortunately including Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, there’s plenty of star-power on the field at the All-Star Game. And the raucous crowd in Philadelphia will have plenty of reasons to cheer for home stars like Bryce Harper, Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, Duran, Sanchez, and Jesus Luzardo.
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is introduced ahead of the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (Matt Slocum/AP)
Here are the full starting lineups and reserves for both leagues:
AL:
- Mike Trout — CF, LAA
- Yordan Alvarez — DH, HOU
- Shea Langeliers — C, ATH
- Junior Caminero — 3B, TB
- Bobby Witt Jr. — SS, KC
- Cody Bellinger — RF, NYY
- Ben Rice — 1B, NYY
- Riley Greene — LF, DET
- Ernie Clement — 2B, TOR
NL:
- Kyle Schwarber — DH, PHI
- Juan Soto — LF, NYM
- Freddie Freeman — 1B, LAD
- CJ Abrams — SS, WSH
- Max Muncy — 3B, LAD
- Ozzie Albies — 2B, ATL
- Brandon Marsh — RF, PHI
- Andy Pages — CF, LAD
- Drake Baldwin — C, ATL
AL Reserves:
Catchers
- 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
Outfielders
- Randy Arozarena — OF, SEA
- Ceddanne Rafaela — OF, BOS
- Tristan Peters — OF, CWS
Designated Hitter
NL Reserves:
Catchers
- William Contreras — C, MIL
- Hunter Goodman — C, COL
Infielders
- Luis Arraez — INF, SF
- Bryce Harper — INF, PHI
- Otto Lopez — INF, MIA
- Matt Olson — INF, ATL
- Sal Stewart — INF, CIN
Outfielders
- Corbin Carroll — OF, AZ
- Pete Crow-Armstrong — OF, CHC
- Jordan Walker — OF, STL
- James Wood — OF, WSH
Designated Hitter
- Iván Herrera — DH, STL
AL Pitchers:
- Dylan Cease — RHP, TOR
- Parker Messick — LHP, CLE
- Nick Martinez — RHP, TB
- Drew Rasmussen — RHP, TB
- Joe Ryan — RHP, MIN
- Cam Schlittler — RHP, NYY
- Ranger Suarez — LHP, BOS
- Michael Wacha — RHP, KC
Relief Pitchers
- Bryan Baker — RHP, TB
- Aroldis Chapman — LHP, BOS
- Jacob Latz — LHP, TEX
- Cade Smith — RHP, CLE
- Louis Varland — RHP, TOR
NL Pitchers:
Starting Pitchers
- Braxton Ashcraft — RHP, PIT
- Chase Burns — RHP, CIN
- Jesús Luzardo — LHP, PHI
- Max Meyer — RHP, MIA
- Jacob Misiorowski — RHP, MIL
- Eduardo Rodriguez — 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, LAD
- Foster Griffin — LHP, WSH
Relief Pitchers
- Jhoan Duran — RHP, 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 p.m. ET, with pregame festivities starting at 7 p.m. ET.