MLB All-Star Game 2025 Predictions: AL & NL Best Bets 7/15/25
- Lee Shipley
- 1 day ago
- 6 min read
Get Ready for the 2025 MLB All-Star Game! We've got two super talented teams hitting the field. The American League All-Stars are bringing some serious power with a lineup full of big hitters and a bullpen that can shut things down late. They're definitely looking like the favorites! But don't count out the National League All-Stars – they've got amazing starting pitchers and defensive whizzes who can really control the game. While the AL might have the edge with their strong offense, the NL's pitching means this game will be a battle right to the very end!
Some All-Star Game History!
The MLB All-Star Game has been a huge deal ever since it started way back in 1933. It's really grown into the ultimate mid-season event, bringing together all the biggest baseball stars from both the American and National Leagues. We've seen some incredible moments over the years, from thrilling walk-off hits to legendary performances by icons like Willie Mays and Cal Ripken Jr., plus amazing MVP outings that fans still talk about. The game has also added cool new things like the home run derby tiebreaker and bigger rosters, making each year feel fresh. No matter the era, the All-Star Game has always been a major highlight for baseball fans, creating tons of unforgettable memories.
Previous Winners & MVPs
Over the past decade, the American League has dominated, winning 8 out of the last 10 MLB All Star Game contests.
MVPs have included a mix of superstars like Mike Trout and breakout performers such as Shane Bieber.
The National League last won in 2012, but the AL’s recent run has been impressive.
The Historic Moments
In 2002, the Game ended in a controversial tie, leading to significant format changes.
2001’s Cal Ripken Jr. home run in his final All-Star appearance remains legendary.
The first-ever walk-off home run in an All-Star Game occurred in 1941.
The 2018 Game set a record for most home runs hit.
All-Time Records & Stats
Most All-Star Game appearances: Hank Aaron (25).
Highest team score: AL, 13 runs in 1954.
Most MVP awards: Willie Mays (2), Mike Trout (2).
Longest winning streak: AL, 13 Games (1997-2009).
Top Trends from Past All-Star Games
Recent history favors the AL, who have dominated the series since 2013.
The average margin of victory is typically under three runs.
Home run totals have increased, with new derby rules adding intrigue.
MVPs are usually position players, with pitchers rarely winning the award.
The league that wins the All-Star Game has not always gone on to win the World Series, debunking some old myths.
The American League All-Stars Breakdown!
The American League All-Stars are absolutely stacked with incredible talent this year. You've got big hitters like Aaron Judge, Yordan Alvarez, and Rafael Devers ready to launch some bombs. Their pitchers are just as impressive, with the starters racking up strikeouts and the bullpen full of guys who can throw heat or close out a tight game. Plus, they're super versatile on defense, so the manager can shake things up throughout the game.
AL Starting Lineup:
1. LF Steven Kwan, CLE
2. SS Bobby Witt Jr., KC
3. RF Aaron Judge, NYY
4. C Cal Raleigh, SEA
5. 3B Alex Bregman, BOS
6. 1B Paul Goldschmidt, NYY
7. CF Wyatt Langford, TEX
8. 2B Kristian Campbell, BOS
9. DH Ben Rice, NYY
Aaron Judge and Bobby Witt Jr. are virtual locks to be part of the AL starting lineup, and they are also the leading candidates to be the league's top overall vote-getter in Phase 1, which would earn them an automatic spot.
First base is far and away the deepest position in the AL, with veteran Paul Goldschmidt getting the nod over a trio of breakout players in Jonathan Aranda (TB), Tyler Soderstrom (ATH) and Spencer Torkelson (DET). Will all four of those players find their way onto the AL squad?
Despite missing time with an oblique strain, Wyatt Langford has still made a compelling case, hitting .299/.375/.597 for a 175 wRC+ with five doubles, six home runs, 12 RBI and 1.1 WAR in 21 games.
AL Pitchers:
SP Hunter Brown, HOU
SP Garrett Crochet, BOS
SP Nathan Eovaldi, TEX
SP Max Fried, NYY
SP Tyler Mahle, TEX
SP Joe Ryan, MIN
SP Tarik Skubal, DET
SP Shane Smith, CWS
RP Josh Hader, HOU
RP Jeff Hoffman, TOR
RP Mason Miller, ATH
RP Andrés Muñoz, SEA
Tyler Mahle (6 GS, 1.14 ERA, 0.98 WHIP, 31.2 IP), Max Fried (6 GS, 1.19 ERA, 1.04 WHIP, 37.2 IP) and Hunter Brown (6 GS, 1.22 ERA, 0.84 WHIP, 37.0 IP) all have a strong case for the start on the mound.
White Sox rookie starter Shane Smith, Twins starter Joe Ryan and Blue Jays reliever Jeff Hoffman are the lone representatives for their teams, and Smith would be quite the story if he makes it as a Rule 5 pick who pitched his way into the South Siders' rotation.
A healthy Logan Gilbert would have been impossible to leave off the AL staff, but who gets bumped to make a spot for him? Pitching snubs have a way of working themselves out, with a handful of guys always unavailable to pitch after taking the mound just before the All-Star break.
The National League All-Stars Breakdown!
This year's National League All-Star team is a super exciting mix of seasoned pros and explosive young talent. You've got big names like Mookie Betts, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Freddie Freeman leading the charge on offense, and their pitching staff is packed with strikeout artists. Plus, their bench is loaded with versatile players, giving them tons of strategic options, especially in those tight late-inning situations. And let's not forget their defense up the middle – it's a huge strength for the NL!
NL Starting Lineup:
1. DH Shohei Ohtani, LAD
2. LF Corbin Carroll, ARI
3. RF Fernando Tatis Jr., SD
4. 1B Pete Alonso, NYM
5. SS Francisco Lindor, NYM
6. 3B Austin Riley, ATL
7. C Will Smith, LAD
8. 2B Brendan Donovan, STL
9. CF Pete Crow-Armstrong, CHC
Shohei Ohtani is the face of baseball right now, and he will almost certainly be the NL's leading vote-getter overall, so pencil him in as the starting designated hitter and leadoff hitter for the NL squad.
A notoriously slow starter with an OPS that is 53 points higher after the All-Star break for his career, Francisco Lindor has gotten things going at the plate much quicker than usual this season, hitting .308/.372/.500 for a 144 wRC+ through his first 30 games.
The NL outfield picture is packed with All-Star candidates, but Pete Crow-Armstrong has emerged as one of the most exciting all-around players in the game with an elite glove in center field, top-of-the-scale speed and a budding offensive game that includes a 132 wRC+ and 17 extra-base hits.
NL Pitchers:
SP MacKenzie Gore, WAS
SP Hunter Greene, CIN
SP Jesús Luzardo, PHI
SP Tylor Megill, NYM
SP Nick Pivetta, SD
SP Kodai Senga, NYM
SP Paul Skenes, PIT
SP Yoshinobu Yamamoto, LAD
SP Logan Webb, SF
RP Jake Bird, COL
RP Justin Martínez, ARI
RP Robert Suárez, SD
Yoshinobu Yamamoto (6 GS, 1.06 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, 34.0 IP) is the leading candidate for the NL starting pitching assignment, though Nick Pivetta (6 GS, 1.78 ERA, 0.82 WHIP, 35.1 IP) and Paul Skenes (6 GS, 2.39 ERA, 0.80 WHIP, 37.2 IP) have also been dominant.
Finding an All-Star representative for the Rockies was difficult, but left-handed reliever Jake Bird gets the nod with a 0.95 ERA, 1.16 WHIP and 12.3 K/9 in 19 innings over 13 appearances. The 29-year-old is controllable through the 2028 season and could be a hot commodity on the trade market this summer.
There were a lot of worthy snubs among NL starting pitchers, including Andrew Heaney(PIT), Michael King (SD), Matthew Liberatore (STL), Nick Lodolo (CIN), Max Meyer (MIA), Freddy Peralta (MIL), Brandon Pfaadt (ARI), Spencer Schwellenbach (ATL) and Zack Wheeler (PHI).
MLB All-Star Game Pick: National League ML (-125)
I'm definitely leaning National League on this one. They're probably throwing Paul Skenes, who's arguably the most exciting young pitcher in baseball, and their bullpen is full of guys who can rack up strikeouts. Plus, the NL's hitters have really caught up recently. With the odds now at -125, I'm happy to bet on the slight favorite to win what should be a pretty low-scoring game.
MLB All-Star Game Total Pick: Under 7.5 (-110)
It's tough to bet against history here. The UNDER has hit in five of the last seven All-Star Games. With both starting pitchers sporting ERAs under 2.5 and dominant relievers ready to go, runs are going to be hard to come by. Until the oddsmakers drop these totals down to 6.5, I'm pretty much auto-playing the UNDER in this situation.