MLB All-Star Game Best Bet: Tuesday, July 19th

The American League will be looking to stretch its win streak to 9 games over the National League when the 92nd edition of the MLB All-Star game is played on Tuesday at Dodger Stadium. Our resident baseball totals expert Ej Garr is here to dish out a few bets and props to look out for so you can watch the game and make a few bucks along the way. 

MLB All-Star Game Best Bet: July 19th

• National League vs American League: 1st Inning Under 0.5 Runs

National League vs American League Best Bet

July 20, 01:00 UK time

The American League has dominated the National League since 2013 having won the last 8 All-Star games and the line setters have made the Nationals the favourites to win in 2022? Stop it! First of all, I may be the totals guy around here but I am totally calling the line setters for trying to set up those favourite bettors out there.

You’re playing the American League at 2.03 and now we can move on to other options you should be looking at. 

I saw Pinnacle showing 1.95 for the 1st inning total O/U 0.5 to go either way, and that means that we need to look at the two starters and analyze how easily they can navigate the first inning. Now, we know it will only be 5 p.m on the west coast when they start this game, so it will likely be another splendid California evening regarding the weather.

From all early indications, it appears as Clayton Kershaw and Shane McClanahan will be taking the mound having earned the start in the highlighted mid-season spectacular.

With that expectation, I see the 1.95 on the Under 0.5 runs in the 1st inning because the two of them should be able to neutralize the bats early in the game.

I see the straight total on the game is 8, and we all know that we have only seen more than eight runs scored twice in the last 13 All-Star games. Pitching seems to always outshine all of the bats in the park when most would assume that with all of the offensive talent at the show it might be reversed. 

Kershaw has been unhittable at times during the campaign and he is coming off another dominant effort against the Cubs the last time he pitched on July 9. The southpaw has earned his 9th All-Star game bid and despite his modesty, he deserves to start the Midsummer Classic on his home field mound where he has produced the bulk of the success in his career. With an ERA of 2.40 and a K to BB ratio of 69 – 12 through 11 starts this year, we’re going with him as our starter so we hope he ends up with the assignment of throwing the first pitch of the game. 

Shohei Ohtani was the expected starter for the American League, but Shane McClanahan has been given the reward for his job with the Rays this year. McClanahan has made 18 starts and his ERA is an obnoxious 1.71. If anyone can handle the nerves of the big stage he is one of those gents and I expect that he will be able to handle the top of the order to start the affair. 

Be on the lookout for some big names to bow out of the event because there is nothing to gain for anyone by playing if you are banged up and need the rest. We see some big names taking the All-Star game reward as a way to get a few days off and just hang out with the guys. In all honesty, this is a glorified scrimmage that the league has tried to give more meaning by assing home-field advantage in the World Series to the league that takes the win in the All-Star game.

I was, at least, glad that MLB doesn’t do the same rubbish that the NHL or NFL does with their showcase games. The NFL Pro Bowl is the single-most biggest waste of time and space in all of the sports, and the NHL has modified its setup way too many times to take it seriously anymore. And then, MLB designated this odd HR Derby if the game goes into extra innings? Wait, what? No, I cannot even start wondering why they would take that approach just to avoid a few players having to play an extra inning game? That deserves a ‘Come on, man!’’ 

Anyway, I am suggesting that we all jump on the 1st inning under 0.5 runs because Kershaw certainly knows how to pitch in his home park and Ohtani is comfortable pitching here as well. Both of the starters call Los Angeles home and I expect them to maintain a 0 – 0 score to start the game. 

• Selection: 1st inning Under 0.5 Runs
• Best odds: 1.79 (Pinnacle)
• Stakes 4/10

Odds as of 12:00 pm July 19th, 2022. Odds may now differ.

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