Betting news, trends, odds and predictions from various handicappers and websites for Tuesday 7/17/18 .
Tuesday marks the 89th edition of the All-Star Game between the American and National Leagues – and you won't find a more even match in sports than these two sides over the first 88 midsummer classics. The AL and NL enter this year's game in Washington having each won 43 games against the other, with a pair of ties. But it's the Junior Circuit that has a slight advantage against its National League counterpart, going in as a -130 favorite.
QUICK-HITTER
Early scoring has been a fixture of recent All-Star editions, with one team producing a first-inning run in four of the last six games. And while last year's game didn't feature any first-inning scoring – or much offense at all for that matter – fans and bettors alike should expect plenty of early fireworks even with two elite pitchers in Chris Sale (American League) and Max Scherzer (National League) toeing the rubber.
These lineups are stacked – and with home-run total headed for yet another all-time league high, neither starter can afford to be anything but perfect. Look for someone to get on the board in the opening frame.
PREDICTION: A run in the first inning: Yes (+115)
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4 1/2 INNINGS BET
The majority of scoring in an All-Star Game seems to come in the opening 4 1/2 innings, as the armies of elite bullpen arms take over in the later stages. But there seems to be plenty of run production prior to this, with five of the previous seven editions of the All-Star Game producing at least four total runs. With the majority of All-Star lineups allowing the starters to bat twice, pitchers are forced into two encounters with the best hitters in the game – and that means fireworks.
With the 4 1/2-inning total sitting at 3.5, we recommend taking the over; last year's incredible pitchers' duel aside, the early innings of the All-Star game have traditionally been more wide-open affairs.
PREDICTION: Over 3.5 runs through 4 1/2 innings (-110)
TEAM/PLAYER BET
You won't find a better collection of players on one team than the nine-man roster that the American League will roll out Tuesday night. Four of the top five players in WAR among non-pitchers are in the AL's starting lineup, including Mike Trout (6.8), Jose Ramirez (6.6) and Mookie Betts (6.3), who rank first, second and third, respectively. Oh, and let's not forget professional baseball masher Aaron Judge of the Yankees, and possibly-soon-to-be-teammate Manny Machado.
The AL also employs the league leader in hits (Jose Altuve, 129), making it one of the most dangerous lineups in recent history. Look for the AL to finish over on its team hit total, even with the NL boasting an impressive pitching corps.
PREDICTION: AL over 7.5 hits (-135)
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FULL-GAME SIDE
Forget the history of how these two teams have matched up. There is only one factor to consider, and that's how the lineups measure up against the pitching staffs. And as mentioned earlier, that American League lineup is a sight to behold. No offense to the NL, but Javy Baez, Matt Kemp and Nick Markakis don't quite measure up to Trout, Ramirez or Altuve – and if/when the AL gets out to an early start, the bullpen should have little trouble protecting the advantage.
A lot can happen in one game of baseball, but the AL is built to win – and should, rather comfortably.
PREDICTION: American League -1.5 (+170)
FULL-GAME TOTAL
As much as we harp on how bettors should expect some early run-scoring, it can't be stressed enough that late-game offense has traditionally been hard to find. There have been just six total runs scored in the seventh, eighth and ninth innings of the last seven All-Star Games – and four of them came in the 2015 edition alone. In other words, don't expect either team to catch fire in the late innings at National Park.
You're risking a push with a total of 7, so buy that extra half-point and take the under. Unlike a regular-season game, you likely won't have to sweat the late innings in this one.
PREDICTION: Under 7.5 (-140)
The full starting lineup for manager Dave Roberts: Javier Baez 2B, Nolan Arenado 3B, Paul Goldschmidt DH, Freddie Freeman 1B, Matt Kemp LF, Bryce Harper CF, Nick Markakis RF, Brandon Crawford SS, Willson Contreras C. Max Scherzer will be first on the mound for the NL.
Astros manager A.J. Hinch unveiled this starting lineup at the All-Star press conference on Monday afternoon in Washington, D.C.: Mookie Betts RF, Jose Altuve 2B, Mike Trout CF, J.D. Martinez DH, Jose Ramirez 3B, Aaron Judge LF, Manny Machado SS, Jose Abreu 1B, Salvador Perez C. Chris Sale is taking the mound first for the American League.
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National League All-Stars vs. American League All-Stars Preview and Predictions 07-17-2018 in MLB
The American League has dominated its older counterpart for the better part of the last three decades but is just now getting the opportunity to pull ahead in the overall series when the Midsummer Classic visits Washington on Tuesday. The game will take place in an NL park for the fourth consecutive summer, but the AL won the last five and 23 of the last 30 - including a 2-1 victory in 10 innings last season - to draw even in the all-time series at 43-43-2.
The AL is stacked again on offense and brings the major's leading hitter - Boston's Mookie Betts (.359) - along with the top two home run hitters - Boston's J.D. Martinez and Cleveland's Jose Ramirez (29 each) - and the game's top player in Los Angeles Angels center fielder Mike Trout. Betts and Martinez headline a quintet of players along with left-hander Chris Sale, closer Craig Kimbrel and first baseman Mitch Moreland coming from the major-league best Red Sox, who cruised into the break 38 games over .500. The NL starting lineup combines exciting young players (Chicago second baseman Javier Baez and catcher Willson Contreras) with some veterans returning to the All-Star Game after putting together surprising first halves (Los Angeles outfielder Matt Kemp, Atlanta outfielder Nick Markakis). The NL team will be led by hometown star Bryce Harper, who comes into the break tied for second in the NL with 23 homers but batting .214 with 102 strikeouts as he tries to impress potential suitors before hitting free agency in the offseason.
TV: 8 p.m. ET, FOX
PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (10-4, 2.23 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (12-5, 2.41)
The AL is just as stout on the pitching side and could have given the start to several pitchers but tabbed Sale to make his third consecutive All-Star start. Sale is in the midst of a remarkable stretch of five consecutive starts with at least 11 strikeouts and no more than one walk, and he leads the AL in ERA and strikeouts (188). AL manager A.J. Hinch will back up Sale with a staff that includes staff aces Luis Severino (Yankees) and Blake Snell (Tampa Bay) along with MLB saves leader Edwin Diaz (Seattle).
Scherzer will make his second consecutive All-Star start and third overall, including one for the AL as a member of the Detroit Tigers in 2013, and rolls into the break tied for the NL lead in wins while ranking third in ERA and first in strikeouts (182). Scherzer will be backed up by MLB ERA leader Jacob deGrom (1.68) and budding young stars like Aaron Nola (Philadelphia) and Mike Foltynewicz (Atlanta). The NL bullpen features a pair of relievers who figure to have their names called out around the trade deadline in San Diego's Brad Hand and Pittsburgh's Felipe Vazquez.
WALK-OFFS
1. Royals C Salvador Perez will replace Rays C Wilson Ramos (hamstring) in the starting lineup.
2. Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner RHP Corey Kluber (Cleveland) and World Series hero RHP Justin Verlander (Houston) will be inactive for the game.
3. Betts will bat leadoff for the AL while the Baez starts things off for the NL lineup.
PREDICTION: American League 6, National League 4
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