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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 beginning 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 have 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.
A big stage, star players and many exciting young players trying their luck on a national platform. Here are some of the most interesting and exciting storylines 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 once again proved to be back at the top of his game during 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 the national level must-see television. Not to mention, the Los Angeles Angels’ struggles to reach the playoffs mean the All-Star Game is the biggest showcase Trout needs.
MIKE TROUT’S TORRID ANGELS SERIES AGAINST THE YANKEES ENDS HISTORICALLY AFTER HE BLASTS HIS FIFTH HOME RUN
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels stands 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
The American and National League teams will feature some of baseball’s brightest young players, some making their first appearance on such a big stage.
Tampa Bay Rays star Junior Caminero starts in the outfield after a stellar first half that proved his 2025 season was no fluke. Playing the first half at just 22 years old, Caminero hit 28 homers in his team’s first 94 games, putting him on track for 48 in a full season, with an outstanding 12.9% walk rate. Already, he has 24 more points on offense than the average hitter, and the domestic platform can rightly 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, he 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 SHARES WHY MLB ALL-STAR FESTIVITIES ARE THE BEST IN SPORTS
The National League starting lineup includes 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 his play in Washington, D.C., Abrams is still only 25 years old and establishing himself as one of the most exciting young shortstops in baseball. Pages is also overshadowed, thanks to his play in Los Angeles, but he became a defensive force and was the second most valuable offensive player on the Dodgers’ star-studded lineup. Not to mention that Drake Baldwin, rookie of the year 2025, catcher for the Atlanta Braves, starts behind the plate.
Both teams feature a full bench of young players, with the AL including rookie Kevin McGonigle, surprising Chicago White Sox infielder Miguel Vargas, outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela and Japanese import Muetaka Murakami, who hit 20 home runs in just 60 games.
The National League has Sal Stewart, who is having an impressive season for 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 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))
Fireballs
If there’s one thing that has become vitally important in modern baseball, it’s speed. And the All-Star Game will have plenty of those, especially with several pitchers knowing they’ll be throwing in shortened relays.
Chase Burns, who averages nearly 98 mph with 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. Hometown closer Jhoan Duran 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 untouchable thus far, with just a 1.62 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 111 innings. That’s not surprising considering his fastball average was over 100 mph, even as a starter, and he set a new record this year for the fastest pitcher thrown by a starting pitcher in the Statcast era.
On the AL side, Aroldis Chapman continues to hover 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 NL, while Dylan Cease gets the ball for the AL.
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Another swing-off?
The 2025 All-Star Game ended regulation with a score of 6-6, leading to a new form of tiebreaker: the swing-off. Three players, three swings, most home runs win. And Phillies star Kyle Schwarber got the job done for the National League, going 3-for-3. The format was widely praised for adding drama and deciding the outcome in a quick and exciting way. Will we see another one in 2026?
Even with the usual scratches and injury replacements, unfortunately including Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, there are plenty of stars on the field in the All-Star Game. And the raucous Philadelphia crowd will have plenty of reasons to cheer for local stars like Bryce Harper, Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, Duran, Sanchez and Jesus Luzardo.
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is shown before the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (Matt Slocum/AP)
Here are the full starting elevens and reserves for both leagues:
AL:
- Mike Trout — CF, LAA
- Yordan Alvarez — DH, HOU
- Karité Langelier — C, ATH
- Caminero junior – 3B, TB
- Bobby Witt Jr. – SS, KC
- Cody Bellinger — RF, NYY
- Ben Rice – 1B, NYY
- Riley Greene—LF, DET
- Ernie Clément — 2B, TOR
The Netherlands :
- Kyle Schwarber — DH, PHI
- Juan Soto — LF, NYM
- Freddie Freeman — 1B, DAL
- CJ Abrams—SS, WSH
- Max Muncy — 3B, DAL
- Ozzie Albies – 2B, ATL
- Brandon Marsh — RF, PHI
- Andy Pages — CF, DAL
- Drake Baldwin – C, ATL
AL reserves:
Seekers
- Dillon Dingler — C, DET
- Adley Rutschman — C, BAL
Infielders
- Travis Bazzana — RN, CLE
- Willson Contreras — INF, BOS
- Kevin McGonigle – INF, DET
- Miguel Vargas — INF, CWS
- Munetaka Murakami — INF, CWS
Voltigeurs
- Randy Arozarena – DE, WED
- Ceddanne Rafaela — OF, BOS
- Tristan Peters — OF, SCF
Designated hitter
Newfoundland Reserves:
Seekers
- William Contreras — C, MIL
- Hunter Goodman — C, COL
Infielders
- Luis Arraez — INF, SF
- Bryce Harper — NRN, PHI
- Otto López — INF, MIA
- Matt Olson – INF, ATL
- Sal Stewart — INF, CIN
Voltigeurs
- Corbin Carroll — OF, Arizona
- 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, tuberculosis
- Joe Ryan — RHP, MIN
- Cam Schlittler —RHP, NY
- 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
- Jesus Luzardo — LHP, PHI
- Max Meyer — RHP, MIA
- Jacob Misiorowski — RHP, MIL
- Eduardo Rodriguez — LHP, Arizona
- 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 pre-game festivities beginning at 7 p.m. ET.
