MLB All-Star Game 2021: Start Time, Lineups, Betting Odds

MLB All-Star Game 2021: Start time, lineups, betting odds originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

Most of MLB’s biggest and brightest stars are in Denver for the 2021 MLB All-Star Game.

The Midsummer Classic makes its return Tuesday night after being canceled last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

There are a record 40 players who will make their first All-Star Game appearance in the Mile High City. One of those is American League MVP favorite Shohei Ohtani, the first player to ever be selected to the game as both a position player and a pitcher. Ohtani, who leads MLB with 33 home runs while also sporting a 3.49 ERA, will bat leadoff and get the start on the mound for the AL.

The National League leader in home runs is also set for his All-Star Game debut as San Diego Padres superstar Fernando Tatis Jr. will be in the leadoff spot for the NL squad.

From the start time, rosters, betting odds and more, here is everything you need to know about the 2021 MLB All-Star Game.

When is the 2021 MLB All-Star Game?

The 2021 All-Star Game takes place Tuesday, July 13 at 7:30 p.m. ET. 

How can I watch the 2021 MLB All-Star Game?

The Midsummer Classic will be broadcasted on FOX and streamed live on the FOX Sports’ website.

What is the location of the 2021 MLB All-Star Game?

Coors Field in Denver, the home of the Colorado Rockies, is the site of the 2021 All-Star Game. It’s the second time Denver has been the All-Star Game host city, with the first coming in 1998 at Coors.

The 2021 All-Star Game was originally scheduled to be held in Atlanta but was moved from the city after Georgia passed a restrictive voting law.

How does the MLB All-Star Game work?

The All-Star Game looks a lot like a regular-season MLB game, but with a designated hitter on both teams and a lot more pitching changes.

MLB altered the designated hitter rule for this year's Midsummer Classic so that the American League won't lose its DH spot when Ohtani is subbed out of the game.

Does the MLB All-Star Game determine home field in the World Series?

Home-field advantage in the World Series is no longer determined by the All-Star Game, a rule that was in place from 2003-2016. The World Series club with the superior regular-season record now gets home-field advantage.

What are the 2021 MLB All-Star lineups and rosters?

The AL All-Stars will be managed by Tampa Bay Rays skipper Kevin Cash. Cleveland Indians manager Terry Francona is on staff as a coach. 

Here is the AL's starting lineup followed by the rest of its active roster (*=replacement):

1. DH/SP Shohei Ohtani (Angels)

2. 1B Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays)

3. SS Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox)

4. RF Aaron Judge (Yankees)

5. 3B Rafael Devers (Red Sox)

6. 2B Marcus Semien (Blue Jays)

7. C Salvador Perez (Royals)

8. LF Teoscar Hernandez (Blue Jays)

9. CF Cedric Mullins (Orioles)

Catcher: Mike Zunino (Rays)

First basemen: Jared Walsh (Angels), Matt Olson (A’s)

Second basemen: Bo Bichette (Blue Jays), Whit Merrifield* (Royals)

Third baseman: Jose Ramirez (Indians)

Shortstops: Tim Anderson* (White Sox), Joey Wendle* (Rays)

Outfielder: Adolis Garcia (Rangers)

Designated hitters: Nelson Cruz (Twins), J.D. Martinez (Red Sox)

Pitchers: Gerrit Cole (Yankees), Nathan Eovaldi (Red Sox), Kyle Gibson (Rangers), Yusei Kikuchi (Mariners), Lance Lynn (White Sox), Carlos Rodon (White Sox), Chris Bassitt* (A’s), Matt Barnes (Red Sox), Aroldis Chapman (Yankees), Liam Hendriks (White Sox), Gregory Soto (Tigers)

2020 World Series-winning manager Dave Roberts will oversee the NL All-Stars, with Rockies skipper Bud Black joining him in the dugout. Roberts tabbed Max Scherzer as the starting pitcher. This will be Scherzer's fourth All-Star Game start.

Here’s a look at the NL's starting lineup, along with its active reserves and pitchers (*=replacement):

1. SS Fernando Tatis Jr. (Padres)

2. DH Max Muncy (Dodgers)

3. 3B Nolan Arenado (Cardinals)

4. 1B Freddie Freeman (Braves)

5. RF Nick Castellanos (Reds)

6. LF Jesse Winker (Reds)

7. J.T. Realmuto (Phillies)

8. CF Bryan Reynolds (Pirates)

9. Adam Frazier (Pirates)

SP:  Max Scherzer* (Nationals)

Catcher: Omar Navarez* (Brewers)

Second basemen: Ozzie Albies (Braves), Jake Cronenworth (Padres)

Third basemen: Kris Bryant (Cubs), Eduardo Escobar (Diamondbacks), Justin Turner* (Dodgers), Manny Machado (Padres)

Shortstops: Brandon Crawford (Giants), Trea Turner (Nationals)

Outfielders: Juan Soto (Nationals), Chris Taylor (Dodgers)

Pitchers: Corbin Burnes (Brewers), German Marquez (Rockies), Trevor Rogers (Marlins), Zack Wheeler (Phillies), Josh Hader (Brewers), Walker Buehler* (Dodgers), Taijuan Walker* (Mets), Freddy Peralta* (Brewers), Craig Kimbrel (Cubs), Mark Melancon (Padres), Alex Reyes (Cardinals)

Which MLB All-Stars aren’t playing in the 2021 All-Star Game?

Voted to his ninth straight All-Star Game (and eighth straight as a starter), two-time All-Star Game MVP Mike Trout is unable to play due to injury. Trout has been on the shelf since May 18 due to a right calf strain. 2021 AL Cy Young winner Shane Bieber won’t have a chance to repeat as All-Star Game MVP as he’s been out since mid-June with a shoulder strain. 

Four Houston Astros were selected to the All-Star Game, but none will make an appearance. Jose Altuve and Michael Brantley cited injury issues for their absences, while Carlos Correa and Ryan Pressly opted out due to family reasons. Correa also landed on the COVID-19 IL after choosing not to play.

In the National League, MVP and Cy Young favorite Jacob deGrom didn’t make the trip to Denver, opting to rest and spend more time with his family over the break.

While San Francisco's Kevin Gausman and Milwaukee’s Brandon Woodruff will be in attendance, they won’t be active as both made starts for their respective clubs on Sunday.

Starters Buster Posey and Ronald Acuna Jr. suffered injuries in the leadup to the All-Star Game. Posey landed on the IL with a thumb contusion and Acuna suffered a season-ending torn ACL. 

Yadier Molina was Posey’s initial replacement but opted not to make his 10th All-Star appearance in order to rest a foot injury. All-Star reserve outfielder Mookie Betts also decided to use the break to heal up. 

Two other NL reserves -- Kyle Schwarber and Yu Darvish -- are nursing injuries that will prevent them from taking the field.

Who is favored to win the 2021 MLB All-Star Game?

The American League enters the 2021 All-Star Game riding a seven-game winning streak. The AL also holds the all-time advantage over the NL in the Midsummer Classic with a 45-43-2 record.

But it’s the National League who’s favored to win Tuesday night. The NL is a 1.5-run favorite (+150) and -121 to beat the AL, according to our partner, PointsBet. The American League is -180 to cover and +100 to extend its winning streak to eight.

Editor's note: All odds are provided by our partner, PointsBet. PointsBet is our Official Sports Betting Partner and we may receive compensation if you place a bet on PointsBet for the first time after clicking our links.