NEWNow you can listen to Fox News articles!
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 pm ET, with a pregame show starting at 7 pm, 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 commentary, with special guest Jon Bernthal presenting a tribute to veterans voiced by Morgan Freeman. There will also be a tribute to NBA star Julius Erving, who played most of his career in Philadelphia.
Big stage, famous actors, and plenty of exciting young players getting their shot on the national stage. Here are some interesting and interesting stories to follow.
Mike Trout
Trout made his final All-Star Game appearance in 2023, as the 34-year-old, who will be 35 years old, has dealt with injuries for the past several seasons. But a rejuvenated Trout proved he was back on top of his game with a healthy first half. While he’s a surefire first-time Hall of Famer, you never know how long he’ll be able to keep up his production as he gets older, making every opportunity at the national level to see TV. Not to mention that the Los Angeles Angels are, uh, struggling, reaching the postseason means the All-Star Game is Trout’s biggest showcase.
MIKE TROUT’S TORRID ANGELS VS YANKEES RUN ENDS IN A HISTORY PACHET AFTER HITTING A FIFTH HOME RUNNER
Mike Trout of the Los Angeles Angels poses before a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in the Bronx, NY, 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 big stage.
Tampa Bay Rays star Junior Caminero takes the field after a dominant first half that proved his 2025 season was no fluke. Making his debut at just 22 years old, Caminero has hit 28 home runs in his team’s 94 starts, which ranks him 48th in a full season, with a career-best 12.9%. Already, he’s had 24 runs more in strikeout than batting average, and the national stage could certainly help raise his profile.
Ben Rice, of the New York Yankees, starts at first base, and while he is often covered 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’s been 66% better than the league average offensively.
FORMER HOME RUN DERBY DISCUSSES WHY THE SECRETS OF MLB ALL-STAR MEETINGS ARE GAMES
The National League starting lineup includes shortstop CJ Abrams and pitcher Andy Pages. Abrams was a pitcher, 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 due to playing in Washington, DC, Abrams is only 25 years old and is proving to be one of the most exciting young shortstops in baseball. Pages is also overshadowed, due to playing in LA, but he has become a defensive force and the second most important offensive player on the Dodgers’ all-star roster. 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 AL starting rookie Kevin McGonigle, surprising Chicago White Sox outfielder Miguel Vargas, outfielder Ceddanne Rafaela, and Japan’s Muetaka Murakami, who has hit 20 homers in just 60 games.
The National League has Sal Stewart, who is having an impressive season with the Cincinnati Reds, Pete Crow-Armstrong, who turned his season around and looked headed for another 30-30 campaign with the Chicago Cubs, and James Wood, who quickly became 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))
The Fireballers
If there is one thing that is most important in all of modern baseball, it is speed. And the All-Star Game will have plenty of it, especially with a few pitchers who know they’ll be throwing in shortstop.
Chase Burns, who averaged nearly 98 mph on his fastball, was outstanding for the Cincinnati Reds. Paul Skenes made his second All-Star Game appearance as he established himself as a perennial Cy Young candidate. John Duran, a hometown closer from Philadelphia, will bring his 100+ mph sinker to the mound, as will Padres closer Mason Miller.
Then there is Jacob Misiorowski. “The Miz” has been nearly untouchable thus far, with a 1.62 ERA and 167 strikeouts in 111 innings. It’s not surprising considering his average fastball is over 100mph, even as a starter, and he set a new record this year for the fastest pitcher thrown by a starting pitcher during Statcast.
On the AL side, Aroldis Chapman continues to sit in the high-90s even in his age-38 season, as do top pitchers Cade Smith and Blue Jays reliever Louis Varland.
Hometown favorite Christopher Sanchez starts in the NL, while Dylan Cease gets the ball in the AL.
OUTKICK IS NOW ON THE FOX APP: CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD
Another Swing-off?
The 2025 All-Star Game ended regulation in a 6-6 tie, leading to a new type of tiebreaker: the swing-off. Three hitters, three swingers, the most home runs wins. And Phillies star Kyle Schwarber had a National League career, 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 if there are regular players and replacements out with injuries, unfortunately including Shohei Ohtani and Aaron Judge, there is plenty of energy on the field for the All-Star Game. And the raucous crowd in Philadelphia will have plenty of reason to cheer for homegrown stars like Bryce Harper, Schwarber, Brandon Marsh, Duran, Sanchez, and Jesus Luzardo.
Philadelphia Phillies star Bryce Harper is introduced before the MLB All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (Matt Slocum/AP)
Here is a complete list of starters 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
Midfielders
- Travis Bazzana – INF, CLE
- Willson Contreras – INF, BOS
- Kevin McGonigle – INF, DET
- Miguel Vargas – INF, CWS
- Munetaka Murakami — INF, CWS
Outsiders
- 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
Midfielders
- Luis Arraez – INF, SF
- Bryce Harper – INF, PHI
- Otto Lopez – INF, MIA
- Matt Olson – INF, ATL
- Sal Stewart – INF, CIN
Outsiders
- 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
Redemption Jars
- 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, AZ
- Chris Sale – LHP, ATL
- Christopher Sánchez – LHP, PHI
- Paul Skenes – RHP, PIT
- Logan Webb – RHP, SF
- Yoshinobu Yamamoto – RHP, LAD
- Justin Wrobleski – LHP, LAD
- Foster Griffin – LHP, WSH
Redemption Jars
- Joan Duran – RHP, PHI
- Raisel Iglesias – RHP, ATL
- Mason Miller – RHP, SD
- Riley O’Brien – RHP, STL
CLICK HERE TO WATCH ONE OF THE GAMES ON FOXNEWS.COM
The 2026 MLB All-Star Game airs on Fox at 8 pm ET, with pregame festivities beginning at 7 pm ET.
