All-Star Game FAQ: Starting pitchers, lineups and more

PHILADELPHIA -- America’s birthplace and America’s pastime are about to put on a Semiquincentennial showcase.

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game on Tuesday night (8 p.m. ET, FOX) will double as a 250th birthday bash for the United States, featuring the stars who earned their stripes, a heavy dose of red, white and blue, and, in a historically hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park, perhaps quite a few fireworks.

What so proudly we hail in this Midsummer Classic is a collection of talent that features breakout youngsters, valiant vets and plenty of Philly flair.

The American League and National League rosters demonstrate MLB’s massive youth movement, including 11 players under the age of 25. The host Phillies lead all teams with six All-Star representatives. And the great Mike Trout, who hails from nearby Millville, N.J., is in the AL starting outfield in his 12th All-Star Game, the most of any of the 2026 participants.

Here’s everything you need to know about the 96th All-Star Game.

What are the starting lineups?

American League

The exact batting order will be announced Monday by AL skipper John Schneider, but these are the starters:

C: Shea Langeliers (ATH)
1B: TBA
2B: Ernie Clement (TOR)
3B: Junior Caminero (TB)
SS: Bobby Witt Jr. (KC)
OF: Mike Trout (LAA)
OF: Riley Greene (DET)
OF: Cody Bellinger (NYY)
DH: Yordan Alvarez (HOU)

Note: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (TOR) was elected as the AL's starting first baseman but will not play in the game. Nick Kurtz (ATH) was in line to replace Guerrero at first but suffered a thumb strain. Aaron Judge (NYY) and Byron Buxton (MIN) were elected as the starting outfielders for the AL but will not play in the game due to injury.

National League

The exact batting order will be announced Monday by NL manager Dave Roberts, but these are the starters:

C: Drake Baldwin (ATL)
1B: Freddie Freeman (LAD)
2B: Ozzie Albies (ATL)
3B: Max Muncy (LAD)
SS: CJ Abrams (WSH)
OF: Brandon Marsh (PHI)
OF: Juan Soto (NYM)
OF: Andy Pages (LAD)
DH: TBA

Note: Shohei Ohtani (LAD) was elected as the NL's starting designated hitter but will not play in the game due to injury.

How can I watch the game?

The 96th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally on FOX, with coverage beginning at 6:30 p.m. ET and the game set for 8 p.m.; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and TDA Sports; and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States. ESPN Radio will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game, while Univision will provide Spanish-language coverage on radio.

Who are the starting pitchers?

Hometown ace Cristopher Sánchez will get the nod for the NL, becoming the first Phillies pitcher since Roy Halladay in 2011 and the seventh pitcher in Phillies history to start a Midsummer Classic.

Dylan Cease will take the ball for the AL, and he will become just the third pitcher in Blue Jays history to get the honor after franchise icons Halladay (2009) and Dave Stieb (‘83, ‘84).

Who are the managers?

Dave Roberts of the two-time defending World Series champion Dodgers and John Schneider of the defending AL champion Blue Jays will serve as the managers.

This will be Roberts' fifth All-Star Game as the manager of the NL team. He was at the helm in 2018, '19, '21 and ‘25. Schneider will be managing in the Midsummer Classic for the first time. Twins manager Derek Shelton (AL) and Cardinals manager Oliver Marmol and Phillies interim skipper Don Mattingly (NL) are honorary coaches.

Who are the position player reserves and pitching staffs?

Check out an updated list of the complete 2026 All-Star rosters here.

How were players selected for this year’s All-Star Game?

The All-Star starters were chosen through two phases of fan voting. The pitchers and reserves for both squads were determined via “Player Ballot” choices and selections made by the Commissioner’s Office (including “Legend Picks” Bryce Harper on the NL and Justin Verlander on the AL). To know all about the All-Star selection process and roster rules, click here.

What do the All-Star Game uniforms look like?

Leaning into the Semiquincentennial and the historic significance of Philly, Nike and MLB designed special-edition jerseys with a “Stars & Stripes” theme. They feature patriotic red, white and blue accents, stars-and-stripes graphics and America 250 commemorative branding. These elements are blended into each player’s traditional team identity and colors. The New Era caps feature commemorative side patches showcasing iconic Philadelphia imagery, such as the Liberty Bell.

What entertainment is on tap?

EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony) winner Jennifer Hudson, joined by the U.S. Army Old Guard Fife & Drum Corps, with orchestral accompaniment from the Philly Pops, will perform “America the Beautiful.” Philadelphia native and lifelong Phillies fan Miles Teller will narrate a stirring tribute of baseball’s impact on American Life. Then, concluding the pregame ceremonies, Grammy winner and Philly native Patti LaBelle, the “Godmother of Soul,” will sing the National Anthem, accompanied by the Military District of Washington Joint Chorus and West Point Band.

Legendary Philadelphia vocal group Boyz II Men will perform during MLB’s Stand Up to Cancer placard moment at the conclusion of the fifth inning.

Does the All-Star Game decide home-field advantage in the World Series?

No. Since 2017, the All-Star Game has been purely an exhibition, with home-field advantage in the World Series going to the pennant winner with the superior regular-season record.

How many times has Philadelphia hosted the All-Star Game?

This is the fifth time an All-Star Game has been held in the City of Brotherly Love, the fourth time it has been hosted by the Phillies and the first time at Citizens Bank Park, which opened in 2004.

The Philadelphia A’s home at Shibe Park was the site of the 1943 game, which was the first All-Star Game to be held at night. The AL prevailed, 5-3.

Shibe Park’s other inhabitants, the Phillies, were the official hosts for the 1952 game, in which the NL won, 3-2, in the only rain-shortened (five innings total) Midsummer Classic. The Phillies also hosted at Veterans Stadium in 1976 (NL 7, AL 1) and 1996 (NL 6, AL 0), when Norristown, Pa.’s Mike Piazza won the MVP honors. Kyle Schwarber and Bryce Harper were both 3 years old when that game took place.

Which league has the all-time edge in the All-Star Game?

The AL has the all-time lead -- 48 wins and 45 losses, with two ties -- and has dominated in recent decades. The AL has lost just eight times since 1988 and five times since 1997. The league was undefeated in 13 consecutive All-Star Games from 1997 through 2009. After three straight losses from 2010-2012, the AL has won 10 of the past 12 games.

What happened in the 2025 All-Star Game?

It was truly an All-Star Game unlike any other, in that it was tied, 6-6, after nine innings, leading to the first-of-its-kind, six-man home run swing-off that decided the outcome.

The NL, led by All-Star Game MVP Schwarber, prevailed in the dinger derby, 4-3, leading to a final game score that technically went down as 7-6 in favor of the Senior Circuit. It was only the NL’s second win in the last 12 Midsummer Classics.

What else should I know?

• This is the seventh All-Star Game to take place on July 14, and six of those seven have taken place in NL parks, with the leagues tied at three wins apiece on this date.
• The six Phillies All-Stars are the most by an All-Star host team since the Dodgers had six in 2022.
• Schwarber will have the chance to join Trout as the only players to win the All-Star Game MVP honor in consecutive years. Trout did so in 2014-15.
• It’s literally the City of “Brotherly” Love for William and Willson Contreras. The Brewers catcher (William) and Red Sox first baseman (Willson) are one of only 19 sets of brothers to both be selected as All-Stars. Willson is a four-time All-Star, William a three-time All-Star, and this is the second time they are All-Stars together (also 2022).
• Philadelphia native Alan Porter is the crew chief and home-plate ump for this game.
• This is the seventh straight All-Star Game with at least five Dodgers reps. That’s tied with the 1942-49 Cardinals for the third-longest such streak, per Elias. They trail only the 1956-65 Yankees (10) and 1936-43 Yankees (eight).
• Three of the top four picks from the 2024 MLB Draft -- Travis Bazzana (CLE), Chase Burns (CIN) and Nick Kurtz (ATH) -- are already All-Stars.
• The Guardians are just the fifth team to have multiple rookies (pitcher Parker Messick and Bazzana) on the All-Star roster.