Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, MLB Picks, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions, HR Derby 7/14/26

Quick Picks with Coach Rick Bowe, MLB Picks, MLB Free Picks, MLB Predictions, HR Derby 7/14/26

MLB ALL-STAR GAME

AMERICAN LEAGUE vs. NATIONAL LEAGUE

MLB ODDS, MLB PREDICTIONS, MLB PREVIEWS

COACH RICK MLB FREE PICKS

AL vs. NL 7/14/26

The 2026 MLB All-Star Game takes center stage tonight at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia. This "Brotherly Love" edition of the Midsummer Classic is packed with local storylines, featuring a heavy Philadelphia Phillies presence and a fascinating mix of legendary veterans and "grindy" East Coast rookies. With the National League looking to defend their home turf and the American League boasting a lineup led by the return of Mike Trout, tonight's matchup is set to be an instant classic.

STARTING PITCHING MATCHUP

The NL is turning to hometown hero Cristopher Sanchez. The Phillies left-hander has been a revelation, finishing the first half with an 11-4 record and a 2.62 ERA. He leads the majors in starts (20) and has racked up 144 strikeouts. Sanchez is the first Phillies pitcher to start an All-Star Game since Roy Halladay in 2011, and his ability to limit damage in a hitter-friendly park like Citizens Bank Park will be tested early by the AL's power-heavy top of the order.

The AL counters with Dylan Cease, a marquee free-agent signing for the Toronto Blue Jays this past offseason. Cease enters the break on a massive heater, having struck out 11 batters in his final first-half start while coming just three outs shy of a no-hitter. His high-velocity stuff and devastating slider make him a nightmare for hitters in a short-stint All-Star format where he can "let it fly" for an inning or two.

RETURN OF THE KING

For the first time since 2019, Mike Trout will actually take the field for an All-Star Game. Despite being selected in 2021, 2022, and 2023, injuries kept the Millville, NJ native on the sidelines. Tonight, he hits leadoff for the American League in front of what is essentially a home crowd. Trout has been vintage this year, slugging 18 home runs with an .863 OPS. With 20 tickets secured for family and friends, expect the "Millville Meteor" to be hunting a fastball early.

THE ROOKIE SENSATION

The Detroit Tigers' rookie infielder Kevin McGonigle is the talk of the town. A "Philly bro" from Delaware County (Delco), McGonigle was heckling the Astros from the stands during the 2022 World Series. Now, at just 21 years old, he’s an All-Star with 99 hits and a massive 4.7 WAR in the first half. His "blue-collar" East Coast edge has translated into an .812 OPS, and he’ll be sharing a clubhouse with his idol, Mike Trout.

THE FAREWELL

In a poignant moment for the sport, Justin Verlander has announced he will retire at the end of the 2026 season. Selected as a "legend pick" by Commissioner Rob Manfred, the 43-year-old future Hall of Famer is soaking in his 10th and final All-Star appearance. While he has struggled with hip and hamstring injuries this year, his presence in the clubhouse as a mentor to young stars like McGonigle and Paul Skenes (who is ineligible to pitch tonight) marks the end of a glorious era.

NOTABLE ABSENCES

The National League will be without two of its most electric arms due to MLB's "Sunday Starter" rule and minor injuries. Jacob Misiorowski (Milwaukee Brewers), who was supposed to start on Sunday opposite Pittsburgh’s Paul Skenes, was scratched due to forearm fatigue. Misiorowski will miss the All-Star Game as well. He has 167 strikeouts and a 1.62 ERA.  Similarly, Skenes is ineligible to pitch after starting this past Sunday.

NEWS & NOTES

The Phillies have two starters in the lineup—Kyle Schwarber and Brandon Marsh—playing in front of their own fans. They also have Sanchez as the starting pitcher. This familiarity with the sightlines and the "Clearwooder" energy of the Philly crowd often provides a tangible boost in these exhibitions.

Shohei Ohtani hitting leadoff for the NL is a terrifying prospect for Dylan Cease. Ohtani received the most fan votes for a reason, and his ability to jump on a pitcher early could put the AL in a hole before they can settle in.

While Misiorowski and Skenes are out, the NL still boasts a deep bullpen that can exploit the hitter-friendly dimensions of Citizens Bank Park (where home runs are boosted significantly compared to league average). All-Star games tend to be lower scoring, but Philly is the perfect ballpark for an offensive explosion.

Citizens Bank Park is historically one of the most hitter-friendly venues in baseball. The "grindy" nature of the hitters in this game—like Trout, Harper, and the rookie McGonigle—suggests they won't be overmatched by the high velocity they'll see. Expect some aggressive swinging early in counts. 

Get free MLB Picks and MLB Predictions for the top games on the weekly 2026 MLB schedule from the YLose.com  crew, one of the industry's largest networks of premier expert MLB handicappers. YLose.com has been bringing the MLB betting community the best MLB free picks and predictions for nearly three decades. Visit daily for the best MLB moneyline and point spread odds and game totals.

FREE PICK:  OVER 7.5 

MLB All-Star games tend to be lower-scoring, but this year the bats may have the edge. With Skenes and Misiorowski out for the NL, it will be interesting to see if the rest of the NL pitching staff can tame the AL bats. Don’t forget, Citizens Bank Park is one of the more hitter-friendly environments in baseball. Consider the following. The average full-game total at Citizens Bank Park this season is 8.5. The Phillies home games have a 23-20-3 O/U record this season. Of the 46 home games at Citizens Bank Park, 30 of them have gone Over 7.5. With all the bats in this game tonight, they’ll find a way to get up and Over 7.5 again. NOTE: Most books are at 8, but you can still get a 7.5 in the -130 to -139 price range.

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