Sale and Scherzer on the Mound in 2018 MLB All-Star Game
The 2018 MLB All-Star Game will take place Tuesday night, with the American League and National League going head-to-head. Although there are a few injury replacements, almost all of the game’s brightest stars will participate. TV: 8 p.m. ET, FOX. Odds: Sale is -147 on the moneyline and the total is 7 Under -125. PITCHING MATCHUP: Red Sox LH Chris Sale (10-4, 2.23 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (12-5, 2.41). The American League is headlined by the likes of Mike Trout, Mookie Betts, Francisco Lindor and Aaron Judge. The general consensus is that the American League has the better stars. The top 10 players in all of baseball, according to the WAR statistic (wins above replacement), are all from the AL.Sale Has Been Dominant
Sale is to make his third consecutive All-Star start. He is in the midst of a remarkable stretch of five consecutive starts with at least 11 strikeouts and no more than one walk. 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). He will also have MLB saves leader Edwin Diaz (Seattle). This will help them continue their recent dominance. The American League has won five straight and 17 of the last 21 (with one tie).Bet on baseball at Bovada and get a 50% bonus.
The National League will try to quell those big AL bats with Max Scherzer. The game being played in Washington, so the Nats’ ace will want to pitch well in his home stadium. He is second in the majors in wins (12-5). Scherzer is tied for NL lead with a sparkling 2.41 ERA and 0.90 WHIP. He also ranks third in ERA and first in strikeouts (182). 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. He will be backed up by MLB ERA leader Jacob deGrom (1.68). Budding young stars like Aaron Nola (Philadelphia) and Mike Foltynewicz (Atlanta) are available as well. The NL bullpen features a pair of relievers who may be showcasing talent. These guys figure to have their names called out around the trade deadline in San Diego’s Brad Hand and Pittsburgh’s Felipe Vazquez.2018 MLB All-Star Game This and That
- Royals C Salvador Perez will replace Rays C Wilson Ramos (hamstring) in the starting lineup.
- Reigning AL Cy Young Award winner RHP Corey Kluber (Cleveland) and World Series hero RHP Justin Verlander (Houston) will be inactive for the game.
- Betts will bat leadoff for the AL while the Baez starts things off for the NL lineup.