2026 MLB Draft Recap: Best Picks and Biggest Steals
USA TODAY Sports’ Gabe Lux breaks down the biggest stories of the 2026 MLB Draft, including Rock Cholowski going No. 1 overall to the White Sox.
The 96th Midsummer Classic ended with the American League winning the championship for the 11th time in 13 years.
This victory follows an overwhelming pitching performance that resulted in the AL’s first shutout victory in 13 years in 2013, when the AL defeated the National League 3-0. On Tuesday, the AL attacked National League batters 15 times, allowing just three hits, and starter Dylan Cease set the tone with a strikeout in the top of the first inning.
The AL took an early lead, with the Phillies’ Christopher Sanchez paying for two early walks with back-to-back doubles by Cody Bellinger and Ben Rice. Bellinger, who was named MVP after the game, scored two runs with a hit, and Rice drove in one run. Later in the game, former Dodgers prospect Miguel Vargas became the third White Sox player to hit a home run in an All-Star Game, joining Frank Thomas and Maglio Ordonez. In the end, the result was even as the AL won 4-0.
This game didn’t have the fireworks of last year’s swing-off, but the Philadelphia faithful got to see all six players on the roster, with João Duran bookending Sanchez as the National League’s starting and final pitcher. Bryce Harper received a huge ovation from the fans when he stepped up to the plate as a “Legend Designated Player,” while Juan Soto overcame the boos and delivered one of the three National League hits of the game.
All in all, it was a dominant pitching performance with a few batters able to break through at the right time. Now, while players can turn their attention to the second half of the season, fans are plunged headlong into trade deadline speculation season.
USA TODAY Sports broadcast the All-Star Game live from Philadelphia. The progress is as follows.
| team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | F |
| Al | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4 |
| dutch | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
When Sal Stewart chopped the ball back to the mound, Baker easily threw him away, giving the American League its 11th win in 13 years with a score of 4-0.
Aroldis Chapman gets two outs, but John Schneider goes to the pen for what will likely be his final outing. Brian Baker will pitch in his first All-Star Game and aim for a shutout in the American League.
Despite allowing a weak ball to Arozarena, Duran grounded out the next two batters to end the inning. Aroldis Chapman of the Red Sox appears to try to end the game.
Dave Roberts no longer has time to use all his arms. After Padres superstar Mason Miller takes on Munetaka Murakami, Roberts heads to the pen to throw in Joan Duran at Home Park. He will first face the Mariners’ Randy Arozarena.
The last time an All-Star team lost a shutout was in 2013, when the American League won 3-0 in the National League. Who was the pitcher for that game? Max Scherzer, Chris Sale, Felix Hernandez, Matt Moore, Grant Balfour, Greg Holland, Brett Cecil, Steve Delabar, Mariano Rivera, Joe Nathan.
For the Cubs, Pete Crowe Armstrong was completely out of sorts and singled against Lewis Burland with one out. The National League will be trying to piece together something to close the gap before heading towards ninth place.
One of the biggest surprises of the first half of the season came from the Chicago White Sox, when one of their All-Stars hit a solo home run deep into the left field seats, his first extra-base hit of the game. The American League currently leads 4-0.
The American League used seven pitchers who combined to strike out 13 National League batters. Dylan Schiess of the Blue Jays struck out in the first inning, and Michael Wacha of the Royals, Joe Ryan of the Twins, and Cade Smith of the Guardians each had two RBIs.
Reds rookie Sal Stewart issued a two-out walk against Rays starter Drew Rasmussen in the bottom of the seventh inning, giving the National League its only runner on third base of the game. In the National League, he had one hit (Juan Soto of the Mets) and one other walk (Freddie Freeman of the Dodgers).
Jacob Lutz of the Rangers relieved Rasmussen and struck out Luis Arraez to end the seventh inning.
Another inning, another dominant pitcher’s performance. The Dodgers’ Justin Robleski struck out the National League, and the game remained in the lead, 3-0, going into the bottom of the seventh inning.
When Cade Smith takes the mound, Bryce Harper appears and gets a big ovation. He shook hands with the umpire, but struck out and walked away muttering, “They’re disgusting.”
Iglesias allowed a hit to Willson Contreras, but earned a scoreless victory in the National League. The pitchers maintained their dominance in this game as well.
Kevin McGonigle steps up and hits a sharp ball that is handled cleanly and gets out at first. Raisel Iglesias is on the mound in the National League.
Nick Martinez got through the inning without giving up a run, and it was punctuated by a spectacular play to midfield by Ernie Clement, who completed a jumping throw to first base with a backhand. Great play by the Jays’ 2B.
One of baseball’s greatest stories, the Nationals’ Foster Griffin, takes the mound in the National League. The 30-year-old rookie, who pitched for three years in Japan, got through the innings without giving up a run. The pitching staff remains dominant.
After allowing a hit to Soto, Ryan struck out the next three batters in order and struck out two. Head to the top of the 5th inning.
Rays fans, hold your breath. Junior Caminero underwent X-rays at CBP and the results were negative, so the star hitter’s initial prognosis is positive. Obviously more testing needs to be done, but the early signs are good.
In the National League, Juan Soto had a hit and Freddie Freeman had a runner on first base with no outs. Joe Ryan of the Twins is currently pitching in the American League.
Luzardo pitches 1-2-3 innings, giving him no time to catch his breath in this game. Halfway through this game, the only blemish on either team’s scoresheet is the top of the first inning. The National League will return to the plate with the aim of making amends.
AL pitches another clean inning
What about the All-Star Game? The pitcher is also an All-Star. In the AL, Michael Washa will go past the third inning, while in the NL he will be replaced by Jesús Luzardo and William Contreras will be on the other side of the battery.
Despite some traffic jams on the basepaths, O’Brien gets the National League out of the inning unscathed. It’s the bottom of the third inning in a 3-0 game. The latest information about Caminero will be updated from time to time.
Riley O’Brien hit the Rays’ Junior Caminero, leaving the Tampa Bay slugger injured. It seems like it hit his hand, so now I’m waiting for an update.
They want Parker Messick to come out and get Brett Marsh and hold the National League to 1-2-3 with two consecutive scoreless innings. After scoring a three-run lead in the top of the first inning, the pitching seemed to be calming down in the early going.
Eduardo Rodriguez led the AL in just eight pitches, and after a long first inning, we’re already heading into the bottom of the second inning. It was a great performance for a Diamondbacks starting pitcher.
After giving up a walk to Freeman, Schiess struck out Abrams to get back on track. He strikes out the side and the AL returns to the plate.
After striking out Kyle Schwarber and Juan Soto, Schiess walked Freeman on a full count. Rather than using a pitch com, Schiess calls pitches on the air alongside Shea Langeliers, with John Smoltz sometimes involved in pitch selection. CJ Abrams will be in the cleanup position.
Sanchez stopped the bleeding and struck out Riley Greene to end the inning and send the at-bat to the National League. You’ll start from the hole, but there’s a good chance you’ll score here.
The Yankees are representing us! Now Ben Rice, another left-hander, brought Sanchez to center field and scored his third AL run of the inning. Sanchez remains the No. 8 batter for now.
Christopher Sanchez during an early jam
Yordan Alvarez hit to center field, and Sanchez walked two of the next three batters and found himself in a bases-loaded situation with Cody Bellinger. Bellinger hit a 2-for-2 sinker that stayed in the middle and hit two plates to make it 2-0 for the AL in the first inning. Sanchez is usually confident against left-handed batters, but here he allowed two hits to left-handed batters in the early going.
In what might be the game’s most fan-friendly matchup, Sanchez struck out Trout with a nasty 88 mph changeup and recorded the first out. It’s truly one of the most dangerous pitches in baseball, whether in exhibition or regular season.
Sanchez is on the mound for the National League as the AL prepares to open in Philadelphia. Sanchez has a 2.62 ERA and a 144-25 strikeout-to-walk ratio. Sanchez threw to Trout, who started, and Trout fouled it, making it 0-1.
Philadelphia native Patti LaBelle will sing the national anthem and give a powerful performance.
The introductions ended at the All-Star Game, and Philadelphia fans showed their usual graciousness. While Kevin McGonigle, Mike Trout and all the Phillies received a warm welcome, the National League East players, especially Juan Soto and the Dodgers, were booed loudly.
Who won the Home Run Derby in 2026?
Jordan Walker turned heads in the Home Run Derby, hitting a home run in his final six swings to beat local favorite Kyle Schwarber. Walker’s parents also stole the show and became the darlings of the broadcast after their son successfully took home the Liberty Bell chain.
The Chicago White Sox’s representative player is Tristan Peters, a former member of the Savannah Bananas who became a national sensation. Here’s what you need to know about Peters.
As left-handed ace Christopher Sanchez prepares for his home start in the All-Star Game, John Luzzi examines how he became one of baseball’s most talented dealers. Click here to read Sanchez’s story.
Several different generations will receive a great reception from the Philadelphia crowd. Angels’ Mike Trout returned to the All-Star Game, while Tigers rookie Kevin McGonigle returned to his roots. Read about it here.
In the National League, Dave Roberts will be paired with local ace Christopher Sanchez, who played for the Phillies. Let’s take a look at the batting order for the entire National League.
Starting pitcher: Philadelphia Phillies LHP Christopher Sanchez
- DH Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Phillies
- LF Juan Soto (New York Mets)
- 1B Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers
- SS CJ Abrams, Washington Nationals
- 3B Max Muncy, Los Angeles Dodgers
- 2B Ozzie Albies, Atlanta Braves
- RF Brandon Marsh, Philadelphia Phillies
- CF Andy Pages, Los Angeles Dodgers
- C Drake Baldwin, Atlanta Braves
Dylan Cease will be taking the mound in the AL, paying the price for manager John Schneider and the American League. Here’s the starter:
Starting pitcher: Toronto Blue Jays RHP Dylan Stopp
- CF Mike Trout, Los Angeles Angels
- DH Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros
- C, Shea Langeliers, Athletics
- 3B Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays
- SS Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
- RF Cody Bellinger, New York Yankees
- 1B Ben Rice, New York Yankees
- LF Riley Green, Detroit Tigers
- 2B Ernie Clement, Toronto Blue Jays
What TV channel is the MLB All-Star Game on today?
- TV channel: fox
- Streaming options: Fox Sports Go app | Fuho
Fox will broadcast Tuesday’s MLB All-Star Game. Joe Davis and Hall of Famer John Smoltz will broadcast the game from a booth at Citizens Bank Park, with Ken Rosenthal and Tom Verducci serving as field reporters.
Streaming options include the Fox Sports Go app (with TV login) and Fubo, which offers Fox.
Today’s MLB All-Star Game start time
- date: Tuesday, July 14th
- time: 8pm ET
The ceremonial first pitch for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game is scheduled for Tuesday, July 14th at 8:00 pm ET.
