All-Star Game odds and predictions for Tuesday, July 11th, 2017 from various handicappers and websites
All-Star Game Best Bets
Vegasinsider.com
For the first time in more than 10 years, the MLB All-Star game won't determine home field advantage in the World Series and will be more like the exhibition game it deserves to be. The winning team still gets an extra $20K per player for coming out ahead, but the high team stakes are gone and we should see a much more relaxed atmosphere. That notion can definitely be applied to betting this game as we do have interesting lines for the contest.
Odds: American League (+100), National League (-110); Total set at 9
When I first looked at these prices there was thing that definitely jumped out. Typically every year we see one of the league's as a small favorite in what's basically a pick'em game so that's really no different, but seeing a total of 9 is much different then what we've got in year's past. In the 11 All-Star games played since 2006, only twice have we seen the score reach 9 or more runs and both times it landed right on the number.
Given all the tremendous pitching talent managers can trot out there each inning and the stakes involved in the games prior, totals of 7.5 were the norm and the 'under' was usually the way to go. All that should change this year though and it's for the reason that this game doesn't decide home field in the World Series.
With this game being nothing more than a showcase for the game's elite now, taking the 'under' tonight could get you in trouble. The guys are still very competitive and will want to win when it comes down to it, but both managers have already stated that with no high stakes surrounding the game anymore, their goal is to get everyone on the field.
We've already got some of the best pitchers who were selected on the sidelines because they pitched for their respective teams on Sunday (Kershaw etc), and while their replacements are still in the midst of a great year, they aren't quite as dominant as some of those big names and won't be looking to dominate for their squad. No home field advantage on the line means we will see a few more meatballs from these guys as they are out to protect their arms and have some fun.
They won't mind seeing a 6-5 type game with the hitters putting on a show for the fans, because at the end of the day, winning is nice, but what's another $20K to these pitchers who make that in an inning's worth of work during the year.
Furthermore, after the offensive show all the guys in the Derby put on last night for the fans, the sluggers on both sides are going to want to do their part to build off that momentum. Gone are the high-stress at-bats for them that we had when the stakes were what they were, and instead guys can now go up to the dish relaxed and primed to contribute.
They'll get a lot better pitches to hit overall from their counterparts on the mound, and all of the guys on these rosters can mash the ball when they get those “meatballs” to crush. And with the managers looking to get everyone on the roster in the game, you know everyone that steps up to the plate is going to want to get a hit in their All-Star game appearance.
So while the 'under' has historically been the way to go here and is already seeing about 60% of the action according to VegasInsider.com, with this seemingly high total at first glance, I've got no problem going the other way given the scenario for this contest. It's not going to be the type of high-scoring, defense-free games we see in the NBA All-Star game and most years in the NFL Pro-Bowl, but the concept remains the same in that regard.
Guys will be out to have some fun for the first time in years at the Mid-Summer Classic, put on a splendid offensive show for the fans, and maybe cash an extra $20K at the end of it.
Expect plenty of runs scored tonight here as this high total of '9' was put up there for a reason as it will get surpassed.
Best Bet: Over 9
MLB All-Star Game Prediction
By T. Wilkinson
Bangthebook.com
The National League is a slight favorite to win the 2017 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night that can be seen on FOX. Max Scherzer is expected to get the start for the National League, while Chris Sale goes for the American League. Sale will be making his second straight All-Star game start and become the 16th pitcher in history to start the game in consecutive seasons. Sale is 11-4 on the season with a 2.75 ERA. Scherzer will be making his second All-Star Game start, as he pitched in the 2013 game while with the Tigers. He is 10-5 this season with a 2.10 ERA. Let’s look at the game and MLB All-Star Game picks.
The 2017 MLB All-Star Game takes place on Tuesday, July 11 at Marlins Park in Miami, Florida with a start time of 8 pm Eastern on FOX. The National League is a slight favorite in the game with the total listed at 9.
MLB All-Star Game Betting Stats
This will be the first year since 2002 that the game will not determine home field advantage for the World Series. It should be noted that almost all of the games since that time have been low scoring. The last time the teams combined to score more than nine runs was in 2005. The American League has won each of the last four All-Star games.
MLB All-Star Game Notes
There have been 87 MLB All-Star Games played with the National League winning 43 times, while the American League has won 42 times. There have been two ties. The National League won 11 straight games from 1972-1982, while the American League went unbeaten in 13 straight from 1997-2009 with 12 wins and a tie. The American League has won 22 of the last 29 games with one tie.
There are 23 first-time selections in this year’s All-Star Game. Bryce Harper led all players in votes with 4.6 million, while Aaron Judge was second, and first in AL voting with almost 4.5 million. The Astros, Yankees, Indians and Nationals have the most players selected with five each.
American League Reserves
1B Yonder Alonso, Athletics; OF Michael Brantley, Indians; 2B Robinson Cano, Mariner; 2B Starlin Castro, Yankees; 2B: DH Nelson Cruz, Mariners; OF Avisail Garcia, White Sox; SS Francisco Lindor, Indians; 3B Mike Moustakas, Royals; C Gary Sanchez, Yankees; 3B Miguel Sano, Twins; Jonathan Schoop, Orioles; OF Justin Upton, Tigers
American League Pitchers
RHP Chris Archer, Rays; RHP Dellin Betances, Yankees; RHP Yu Darvish, Rangers; RHP Chris Devenski, Astros; RHP Michael Fulmer, Tigers; LHP Dallas Keuchel, Astros; LHP Craig Kimbrel, Red Sox; RHP Brandon Kintzler, Twins; RHP Corey Kluber, Indians; RHP Lance McCullers Jr., Astros; LHP Andrew Miller, Indians; RHP Roberto Osuna, Blue Jays; LHP Chris Sale, Red Sox; RHP Ervin Santana, Twins; RHP Luis Severino, Yankees; LHP Jason Vargas, Royals.
National League Reserves
C Yadier Molina, Cardinals; 1B Paul Goldschmidt, Diamondbacks; 1B Joey Votto, Reds; 2B Josh Harrison, Pirates; 2B DJ LeMahieu, Rockies; SS: Corey Seager, Dodgers; 3B Jake Lamb, Diamondbacks; OF Cody Bellinger, Dodgers; OF Michael Conforto, Mets; OF Ender Inciarte, Braves; OF Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins; 3B Justin Turner, Dodgers.
National League Pitchers
RHP Wade Davis, Cubs; RHP Zack Greinke, Diamondbacks; LHP Brad Hand, Padres; RHP Greg Holland, Rockies; RHP Kenley Jansen, Dodgers; LHP Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers; RHP Corey Knebel, Brewers; RHP Carlos Martinez, Cardinals; RHP Pat Neshek, Phillies; LHP Robbie Ray, Diamondbacks; RHP Max Scherzer, Nationals; RHP Stephen Strasburg, Nationals.; LHP Alex Wood, Dodgers.
MLB All-Star Game Picks
The American League has the stronger lineup and I think they also have the better pitching staff. I will take the American League to get the win and for the game to go over the total. In the MVP odds, I think Judge and Springer have value at double-digit odds and it is also easy to like the field considering many of the players in the starting lineup won’t play more than a few innings.
MLB All-Star Game Betting Preview
By: Ashton Grewal
Covers.com
The average total of runs scored in the last 11 MLB All-Star games is just 6.5 and the under is 7-2 in the last nine years.
All-Star Games aren’t as popular as they once were, but the MLB midsummer classic is still the champion of professional sports All-Star showcases.
It’s the only major sporting contest on the betting board tomorrow (sorry tennis fans). On Wednesday, the gambling community will be scrambling to find a book that’ll allow a parlay on the Connecticut Sun with Simon Biles winning an ESPYs, so let’s treat this matchup with a little respect. Beggars can’t be choosers.
What bettors need to know
Location: Miami, Florida
Expected temperature: Around 85, but it’ll feel more like 89 with the humidity.
Odds: NL All-Stars -110, AL All-Stars -110. Over/Under 9.
Line History: There hasn't been much line movement for this battle of All-Stars heading into Tuesday. The National League opened as -115 moneyline favorites and at the majority of books they haven't moved off that number (Sports Interaction has this game as a Pick 'Em). The total hit the betting boards at 9 and has been steady.
Betting odds on the 2017 ESPY Awards' biggest and best categories
With the sports world coming to a standstill during the MLB All-Star break, ESPN takes the time to honor the very best in sports with their annual ESPY Awards. We look at the prop odds for the biggest and best awards up for grabs on July 12.
Missing in action:
Arguably the two best players in baseball will not be playing. For the American League, outfielder Mike Trout isn’t scheduled to return from his thumb injury until Friday for the Los Angeles Angels and Clayton Kershaw is ruled out because he pitched on Sunday for the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Other All-Stars who’ll be sitting out: Starlin Castro, Dallas Keuchel, Yu Darvish, Michael Fulmer and Corey Kluber. Taking their places are; Robinson Cano, Chris Archer, Chris Devenski, Brandon Kintzler, Roberto Osuna, Justin Upton and Alex Wood.
Starting Pitchers:
American League - Chris Sale, Boston Red Sox (11-4, 2.75 ERA)
National League - Max Scherzer, Washington Nationals (11-5, 2.10 ERA)
Trends
Low Scoring Games
Normally, high scoring is associated with All-Star Games, but that’s not the case with baseball’s summer showcase. The average total of runs scored in the last 11 MLB All-Star games is just 6.5 and the under is 7-2 in the last nine years.
It used to be only closers who were comfortable being asked to pitch one inning or even just getting a single out. More and more of today’s managers ask the same for their starting pitchers on short rest in the playoffs.
Seeing the best stuff from a different pitcher each at bat puts the hitters at a larger disadvantage.
American League Dominance
The American League is 16-3-1 in the last 20 MLB All-Star Games. Shout-out to former MLB Commissioner Bud Selig for giving us a push in 2002.
All-Star Game MVP odds
Since 1987, there have been only two pitchers named MVP of the All-Star Game (Pedro Martinez 1999, Mariano Rivera 2013). An AL position player has won 12 of the last 16 All-Star Game MVP awards. If you’re looking to pick a winner, it’d probably be wise to look at the AL starting lineup first.
MLB All-Star Game Preview
By: StatFox,com
Major League Baseball’s top players meet in Miami for the All-Star Game on Tuesday.
This is one of the most exciting events of the year, as fans will get to see most of the world’s best competing against one another. And after an exciting Home Run Derby on Monday, one can only imagine what is in store here. The National League will definitely be the team that has something to prove in this one. While the game no longer decides which team will have home field advantage in the World Series, there is still a lot of pride on the line here. The American League won this game 4-2 a year ago, and that was the fourth straight victory for the AL over the NL. It was also the team’s 16th victory over the National League in the past 20 meetings, and one of those other games was a tie. The MVP of last year’s game ended up being Eric Hosmer, who is not on the All-Star team this year. Mike Trout, meanwhile, had won two straight MVPs before Hosmer won last year. Trout would have been playing this year, but he got injured early in the season and is not yet healthy enough to return for Los Angeles.
The American League will be sending LHP Chris Sale (11-4, 2.75 ERA, 178 K) to the mound as their starter, and Sale has been ridiculous this season. He has exceeded expectations in his time with the Sox, and some have been calling him the best pitcher that Boston has had since Pedro Martinez. Sale likely won’t throw too many innings here, but that shouldn’t matter. The American League has plenty of elite pitchers ready to come in when he gets tired. As for players to watch in this American League lineup, it’d be a mistake not to mention OF Aaron Judge (.329 BA, 30 HR, 66 RBI) first. After winning the Home Run Derby with relative ease on Monday, Judge is seemingly the face of the entire league right now. His power is unmatched and it’d almost be more surprising if he ends up struggling in this one. And then there are some other studs like 2B Jose Altuve (.347 BA, 13 HR, 50 RBI), SS Carlos Correa (.325 BA, 20 HR, 65 RBI), and OF Mookie Betts (.272 BA, 16 HR, 53 RBI). All three of them are capable of doing a ton of damage in this game, and Betts might be eager to come out and win the MVP here. After struggling in the first half of the season, that would certainly give him some momentum heading into the second half of the year.
Starting the game for the National League is going to be RHP Max Scherzer (10-5, 2.10 ERA, 173 K), who immediately gives the NL a minor edge in this one. Scherzer has a rightful claim to be the best pitcher in baseball right now, and he is going to want to put on a show to prove that on Tuesday. The NL also happens to have far better arms backing Scherzer up. Offensively, the NL also has a bit more firepower than the AL in this year’s game. The National League has guys like OF Charlie Blackmon (.319 BA, 20 HR, 61 RBI), DH Giancarlo Stanton (.277 BA, 26 HR, 58 RBI), OF Bryce Harper (.325 BA, 20 HR, 65 RBI), 2B Daniel Murphy (.342 BA, 14 HR, 64 RBI), and 3B Nolan Arenado (.301 BA, 17 HR, 70 RBI). All five of them are capable of having big games at the plate, and so are the other guys in this lineup that were not mentioned. But if you’re looking for somebody that might win MVP then look no further than Harper. Harper is one of the game’s best players, and he’ll want to put some of the attention back on himself after not competing in the Derby. Expect a big game from him here.