Major League Baseball

MLB All-Star Game 2021: How to watch, time, channel, lineups and more

Updated Jul. 13, 2021 8:58 p.m. ET

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The MLB All-Star Game is back!

After the pandemic caused the event to be canceled last year, the Midsummer Classic returns Tuesday, and for the first time in 23 years, it's being held at Denver's Coors Field. Pregame coverage will begin at 7 p.m. ET on FOX.

Here's everything you should know ahead of the action:

What is the All-Star Game?

It's the single greatest collection of talent in Major League Baseball.

The game occurs annually at the midway point of the MLB season, as the best players from the American League and National League compete against one another.

How does it work?

Each team consists of 34 players. The starting position players for each team are voted in by the fans, and the pitchers (eight) and one backup player for each position are voted on by the players. The managers fill out the rest of the rosters.

The managers for the AL and NL All-Star teams are the managers of the clubs that reached the World Series the season prior. That means Kevin Cash of the Tampa Bay Rays and Dave Roberts of the Los Angeles Dodgers are the managers this year, marking Roberts' third straight All-Star Game as NL manager.

Who are the starters for the All-Star Game?

For the National League, the starting lineup is: 

- Fernando Tatis Jr., SS (Padres)
- Max Muncy, DH (Dodgers)
- Nolan Arenado, 3B (Cardinals)
- Freddie Freeman, 1B (Braves)
- Nick Castellanos, RF (Reds)
- Jesse Winker, LF (Reds)
- *J.T. Realmuto, C (Phillies)
- *Bryan Reynolds, CF (Pirates)
- Adam Frazier, 2B (Pirates)

*Realmuto and Reynolds were replacements for starters Buster Posey and Ronald Acuña Jr., who are both currently on the injured list.

And for the American League: 

- Shohei Ohtani, DH (Angels)
- Vladimir Guerrero Jr., 1B (Blue Jays)
- Xander Bogaerts, SS (Red Sox)
- Aaron Judge, RF (Yankees)
- Rafael Devers, 3B (Red Sox)
- Marcus Semien, 2B (Blue Jays)
- Salvador Perez, C (Royals)
- Teoscar Hernández, LF (Blue Jays)
- Cedric Mullins, CF (Orioles)*

*Mullins was an injury replacement for Mike Trout, who has been out since May 17 due to a right calf strain.

On the mound to start, it'll be a matchup between two-way star Ohtani and longtime Nationals ace Max Scherzer.

The full American and National League rosters, including pitchers and reserves, can be found here. 

Which players should I keep an eye on?

Ohtani is set to become the first player in baseball history to hit and pitch in the All-Star Game, so it is fair to assume that all eyes will be on him Tuesday — including those of the other players. Through games Sunday, Ohtani led the majors with 33 home runs and sported a 3.49 ERA on the mound.

Shohei Ohtani's incredible first half in the words of MLB All-Stars ' Flippin' Bats

On Monday at All-Star media day, Ben Verlander talked to MLB players about Shohei Ohtani’s amazing first half of the season. Hear just how blown away Ohtani's peers have been by his performance.

Also, veteran Kansas City backstop Perez will make his seventh appearance – and sixth start – as the American League catcher. Perez will be the Royals' only representative in Denver.

Guerrero and Tatis are definitely worth monitoring as well. A pair of rising young stars in the game, they entered games Sunday tied for second in the majors in home runs, with 28.

Padres' shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. on being the face of baseball

Ben Verlander chats with San Diego Padres shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr. about being the face of MLB and what has caught his attention this season.

Unfortunately for the sport, the other young star who was set to start for the NL, Acuña, will miss the festivities after tearing his right ACL on Saturday. He will need surgery to repair his knee and has been ruled out for the remainder of the MLB season.

'I can't even put it into words' -- Freddie Freeman on losing Ronald Acuña Jr. for the season

Atlanta Braves first baseman Freddie Freeman tells Ken Rosenthal why it will be so hard to replace Ronald Acuña Jr., who is out for the remainder of the season due to a torn ACL.

Which team is the favorite?

The American League is on a seven-game winning streak, but the National League has kept it competitive overall, trailing only 45-43-2 all-time.

Plus, while the AL might have the greatest singular talent in the sport with Ohtani, the NL can claim four of the five ERA leaders among starting pitchers, with Jacob deGrom, Kevin Gausman, Brandon Woodruff and Zack Wheeler.

Where can I watch?

The MLB All-Star Game will air at 7 p.m. ET Tuesday on FOX.

And if you missed the Home Run Derby on Monday, check out the highlights below.

Home Run Derby recap: Pete Alonso repeats in electric performance ' Flippin' Bats

Ben Verlander was at field level at the 2021 Home Run Derby moments after Pete Alonso took home his second straight title. Ben describes the electric atmosphere in Denver, where Shohei Ohtani, Alonso and others put their offensive skills on display.

For more up-to-date news on all things MLB, click here to register for alerts on the FOX Sports app!

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Major League Baseball

Shohei Ohtani

Buster Posey

Freddie Freeman

Adam Frazier

Nolan Arenado

Fernando Tatis

Ronald Acuña

Nick Castellanos

Jesse Winker

Salvador Perez

Vladimir Guerrero

Marcus Semien

Rafael Devers

Xander Bogaerts

Aaron Judge

Teoscar Hernández

Toronto Blue Jays

Jacob deGrom

Brandon Woodruff

Kevin Gausman

Trevor Rogers

Cedric Mullins

Baltimore Orioles

Bryan Reynolds

Pittsburgh Pirates

J.T. Realmuto

Philadelphia Phillies

Max Scherzer

Washington Nationals