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The 2025 Major League Baseball season has reached its annual summer break, with the 95th edition of its annual Midsummer Classic set to take place at Atlanta’s Truist Park tonight. The league’s All-Star Game has been a one-sided affair for nearly 40 years. The American League has gone 28-7-1 since 1988 and now holds the series advantage, 48-44-2. After holding a 13-game unbeaten streak between 1997 and 2009 (the series’ longest), the American League has won 10 of 11.
Let’s break down each team’s recent performance and make our American League @ National League pick for tonight’s contest.
It has been a long time since the National League has controlled the All-Star Game. After going 33-8-1 between 1950 and 1987 to take a dominating series lead, the National League has struggled, winning just 7 times in the past 36 contests.
That includes a 5-3 setback last season at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas. Superstar Shohei Ohtani of the Los Angeles Dodgers gave the National League an early advantage with a 3-run shot off Tanner Houck from the Boston Red Sox in the top of the third inning, but the American League responded immediately. The New York Yankees Juan Soto hit a two-run double off Logan Webb of the San Francisco Giants and scored on an RBI single by David Fry of the Cleveland Guardians.
Jarren Duran, also from the Red Sox, hit a game-winning, 2-run homer off Hunter Greene of the Cincinnati Reds in the 5th inning. It was one of just 5 hits for the American League, while the National League had 10 hits. Oakland’s Mason Miller earned the win by striking out two in a scoreless top of the fifth. Duran became the fifth Red Sox to be named MVP of the All-Star Game, and the first since fellow outfielder J.D. Drew in 2008.
The game featured 39 first-time All-Stars, including Pittsburgh Pirates phenom pitcher Paul Skenes. Despite just 11 appearances at the Major League level, Skenes started the game for the National League and surrendered just a walk in one inning of work. Corbin Burnes, then of the Baltimore Orioles, started for the American League and allowed a walk and a hit in a scoreless inning.
After becoming the first rookie All-Star Game starter since the Los Angeles Dodgers Hideo Nomo in 1995, Skenes is now the first pitcher to ever start the All-Star Game in his first two seasons in the league, as he is back to lead the National League tonight. The game features established stars and exciting newcomers. Reigning AL and NL MVP winners Aaron Judge of the Yankees (7th ASG) and Ohtani of the Dodgers (5th ASG) return to the Midsummer Classic. Ohtani’s teammate, Clayton Kershaw, makes his 11th and perhaps final appearance after being named to the squad in an honorary capacity.
A total of 13 players are making at least their 5th All-Star Game appearance, headlined by Kershaw, as well as Dodgers first baseman Freddie Freeman and Atlanta Braves pitcher Chris Sale, both named to their ninth All-Star teams, although Sale won’t play due to injury.
At the other end, 30 first-time players were named, including four starters: Seattle Mariners catcher Cal Raleigh, Oakland Athletics shortstop Jacob Wilson, Baltimore Orioles designated hitter Ryan O’Hearn and Chicago Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong. Detroit Tigers pitcher Tarik Skubal, making his second straight appearance, gets the nod for the American League.
Although hometown hero Ronald Acuna Jr. would be the sentimental pick to be named MVP tomorrow night, the only thing assured is an assembly line of pitching talent. Last year’s contest featured 20 pitchers in a 9-inning affair, including 11 for the American League.
With wave after wave of flamethrowers hitting near or even over 100 MPH on the radar, don’t expect much in the way of offense. Last year’s 8 combined runs were the most in the game in the past five years. Eight or more runs have occurred just twice in the previous eight contests, so look for the classic to be another pitchers’ feast and stay below seven total runs.
Brian has been writing about sports professionally for 25 years, specializing in the NFL, MLB, NHL, NBA, men's college basketball and football, and soccer. He covered high school, collegiate and professional sports in the Baltimore-Washington metropolitan area for two decades. His written work has appeared in several print and online publications since 1999.