The American League has dominated the All-Star game lately and it may just happen again this time around. The AL offense is missing Judge and Trout, but has some solid pieces including a powerhouse SS in Seager who is hitting for huge average, and the Rays’ gifted first baseman. Still, it is hard to argue with the National league’s starting eight, including a youngster still pushing for .400, a smoking hot catcher hitting well over .400 over the last few weeks, and Acuna who is putting up monster numbers in all categories.

Strider and Elder in the NL pitching rotation have just 5 years of experience between them. Add Steele and Gallen at 27 years old, and that is a big youth presence. The NL just doesn’t have the star power or the experience compared to the big-time AL starters like Cole, Ohtani and McClanahan, and that just might be the AL’s edge. Add in an absolutely wicked closer with an ERA of 0.53 to finish off the game.

I’m going with the old baseball adage that says “good pitching pitching beats good hitting” in this one. Take the AL to come through again