The best way to watch the All-Star Game is to have someone to root for. That is the whole trick. You do not need a rooting interest in an exhibition — but the game gets better the second you find one, and the beautiful thing about this particular game is that it hands you a hundred of them, from every corner of the map, all standing on one field in Philadelphia.
First, the How-to-Watch
- What: The 96th MLB All-Star Game, AL vs. NL
- When: Tuesday, July 14, 8:00 p.m. ET (coverage from 7:00 p.m. ET)
- Where: Citizens Bank Park, Philadelphia
- TV: FOX
- Stream: FOX One, or through a TV provider
- Red Carpet: 2:00 p.m. ET, MLB Network and MLB.com, from Independence Mall
The location is doing some heavy lifting this year. The game lands in Philadelphia in the summer of America’s 250th birthday, a few blocks from where the whole experiment was signed into being. A national pastime, at the nation’s front door, on the nation’s big anniversary. On the nose, and we mean that as a compliment.
Now — who’s your guy? Work down the list until you find him.
If You Root for the Dominican Republic
Tampa Bay Rays’ Junior Caminero competes during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Start here, because this is where the thunder is. Junior Caminero (Rays) starts at third base for the American League at 23 years and nine days old, fresh off an 11-homers-in-11-games stretch and hitting moonshots for one of the most fun teams in baseball. If you want a young slugger on an exciting club, order this one. Juan Soto (Mets) hits in the National League lineup as maybe the best pure hitter alive. Add Otto Lopez (Marlins), Cristopher Sánchez (Phillies, a hometown starter), and reliever Jhoan Duran (Phillies), and one country covers the Rays, Mets, Marlins, and Phillies. Santo Domingo to South Philadelphia.
If You Root for Cuba
Houston Astros’ Yordan Alvarez runs the bases after hitting a home run during the first inning of a baseball game against the Texas Rangers, Saturday, July 11, 2026, in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/LM Otero)
The deepest international bucket on the board. Yordan Alvarez (Astros)is the DH thunder — the only player in baseball this season with 30-plus homers and 60-plus RBI, and somehow a longshot in the MVP betting tonight. Bet the value. Randy Arozarena (Mariners is the October showman who plays every inning like the cameras owe him money. Aroldis Chapman (Red Sox) still throws 101.
Yandy Díaz (Rays), Miguel Vargas (White Sox), Andy Pages (Dodgers), and Raisel Iglesias (Braves) and rooting for Cuba covers the Astros, Mariners, Red Sox, Rays, White Sox, Dodgers, and Braves — seven teams off one island.
Seattle Mariners’ Randy Arozarena (56) celebrates with third base coach Carlos Cardoza (57) while rounding the bases after hitting a three-run home run during the fourth inning of a baseball game against the Tampa Bay Rays, Sunday, July 12, 2026, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Phelan M. Ebenhack)
If You Root for Venezuela
Boston Red Sox’s Willson Contreras reacts during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Start here if you like a winner: Venezuela won the 2026 World Baseball Classic, so rooting for this bunch means rooting for the reigning champions of the whole sport. Willson Contreras (Red Sox) is the one whose story is already written — a Cub, a Cardinal, now a Red Sox, up and down the defensive spectrum, around long enough that everyone’s already decided how they feel about him. His brother William Contreras (Brewers) catches in the other dugout, a split-family subplot only this game produces. Add Ranger Suarez (Phillies) and Eduardo Rodriguez (D-backs), and Venezuela covers the Red Sox, Brewers, Phillies, and Diamondbacks.
Venezuela’s Luis Arraez reacts after hitting a three run home run during the sixth inning of a World Baseball Classic game against Israel, Saturday, March 7, 2026, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
And then there’s Luis Arraez (Giants), the best pure contact bat in the sport and a man playing all week under a cloud of trade rumors with the Giants 19 games back. He’s trying not to hear it. “I just try to not look at it,” Arraez said. “I just try to go there and play my game.” He talked about how hard it would be to leave teammates who took him in like family — but added that it’s a business, and if a team wants his help, he’s listening. Venezuela’s contact king, one of the last names that could move before the deadline.
If You Root for Asia
Japan
Chicago White Sox’s Munetaka Murakami competes during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Munetaka Murakami (White Sox) is the feel-good story, a Japanese legend now launching them in the majors, and few hitters in history hit them farther. Yoshinobu Yamamoto (Dodgers) is the ace. Note the absence: Shohei Ohtani was elected but will not play — even after hitting his 300th career home run days before the break. Temper the Ohtani expectations. Japan covers the White Sox and Dodgers.
Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto speaks with members of the media during the MLB baseball All-Star Week, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
Korea
Saint Louis Cardinals’ Riley O’Brien speaks to members of the media during the MLB baseball All-Star Week, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The best hidden story on the roster. Riley O’Brien (Cardinals) was born in Seattle but was named to South Korea’s 2026 World Baseball Classic team on his heritage — then a calf injury kept him out of the tournament. He answered by closing out the Cardinals’ first fourteen games of the season without a hiccup. He may be moved before the deadline, which makes tonight a chance to watch a reliever playing for his next contract, representing a flag he chose. Korea covers the Cardinals.
If You Root for Curaçao
Boston Red Sox’s Ceddanne Rafaela celebrates with teammates after hitting a two-run home run during the second inning of a baseball game against the Chicago White Sox in Chicago, Tuesday, July 7, 2026. (AP Photo/Nam Y. Huh)
An island of 150,000 people that keeps sending stars to the majors. Ozzie Albies (Braves) starts at second base; Ceddanne Rafaela (Red Sox) is the electric glove in center. Two players, two contenders, one tiny Dutch Caribbean island. Curaçao covers the Braves and Red Sox.
If You Root for Canada
Cleveland Guardians’ Cade Smith walks on the field ahead of the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)
The real Canadian hero here is Cade Smith (Guardians), the reliever who helped push Cleveland to the brink of a title — a magical Canadian arm out of a country that quietly keeps producing them, alongside Tristan Peters (White Sox). And then there’s Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (Blue Jays), who was born in Montreal and therefore counts as Canadian on a technicality, despite carrying a Russian first name, a Dominican soul, and a plate approach he learned at his Hall of Fame father’s knee. He was elected but won’t play, so enjoy him in spirit. Canada covers the Guardians, White Sox, and Blue Jays.
If You Root for the One-Player Nations
Panama starting pitcher Heitor Tokar, left, talks with catcher Ivan Aaron Herrera, right, during the seventh inning of a Caribbean Series baseball game against Nicaragua, Sunday, Feb. 4, 2024, in Miami. (AP Photo/Lynne Sladky)
Three countries sent exactly one man each. Iván Herrera (Cardinals) reps Panama, a catcher-turned-DH having a genuine breakout. Travis Bazzana (Guardians), the top overall pick in the 2024 draft, reps Australia — one of the very few Australian-born position players in the majors. And Jesús Luzardo (Phillies) was born in Peru but reps Venezuela by heritage, one of two men here playing under a flag they weren’t born beneath. Panama covers the Cardinals, Australia the Guardians, Peru the Phillies.
Australia’s Travis Bazzana reacts after hitting single during the eighth inning of a World Baseball Classic game between South Korea and Australia on Monday, March 9, 2026 in Tokyo. (AP Photo/Eugene Hoshiko)
If You Root for the USA
Forty-nine of the seventy-seven All-Stars were born in the United States, which in the year of the 250th feels about right. Here’s how to find yours.
The Faces
United States’ Mike Trout celebrates after hitting a triple against Colombia during the first inning of a World Baseball Classic game in Phoenix, Wednesday, March 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Godofredo A. Vásquez)
Mike Trout (Angels) gets a genuine homecoming: he grew up 40 miles away in Millville, New Jersey, and this is his first All-Star Game since 2019 after years of injuries. Philadelphia crowds have always given him a pass on their famous hostility, and he’ll feel it Tuesday. Bobby Witt Jr. (Royals) and Paul Skenes (Pirates, the best young arm in the sport) are the other marquee draws. Aaron Judge (Yankees) was elected but won’t play — the one absence Yankees fans will feel. These names cover the Angels, Royals, Pirates, and Yankees.
They Played for Team USA
If you want to root red-white-and-blue in the most literal sense, these are the guys who actually wore it. Mason Miller (Padres) is the headliner — a 105-mph reliever, a genuine event every time he warms up, and the Padres have said they intend to keep him even sitting 3.5 games back of the third Wild Card. Michael Wacha (Royals) is the steady veteran of the group. Team USA WBC alumni cover the Padres and Royals.
Under 24 — The Clean Slates
Philadelphia Phillies’ Kyle Schwarber greets St. Louis Cardinals’ Jordan Walker during the MLB baseball All-Star Home Run Derby, Monday, July 13, 2026, in Philadelphia. (AP Photo/Matt Slocum)
Here’s the flip side of the Willson Contreras coin. Where the veterans have long since had their verdicts handed down, these are the players the public is still meeting. Drake Baldwin (Braves) starts at catcher and is looking to build on a strong debut. Jordan Walker (Cardinals) arrives fresh off his Home Run Derby title, a 24-year-old who spent three years being called a bust and is now the loudest bat in St. Louis. And Junior Caminero belongs here too, at 23. If you like forming your own opinion before the takes calcify, this is your section.
Atlanta Braves’ Tyler Kinley, left, celebrates after a win with Drake Baldwin, right, after a baseball game against the Boston Red Sox, Sunday, May 17, 2026, in Atlanta. (AP Photo/Mike Stewart)
The Rest of the Field
Detroit Tigers’ Riley Greene, right, celebrates his home run with teammate Dillon Dingler (13) during the third inning of a baseball game against the New York Yankees, Tuesday, June 30, 2026, in New York. (AP Photo/Heather Khalifa)
The Tigers bring the most: Riley Greene, Dillon Dingler, and Kevin McGonigle, with Justin Verlander honored as a Legend Pick though he won’t pitch. Adley Rutschman (Orioles), Pete Crow-Armstrong (Cubs), Sal Stewart and Chase Burns (Reds), Ben Rice and Cody Bellinger and Cam Schlittler (Yankees), Joe Ryan (Twins), CJ Abrams and James Wood (Nationals), and Hunter Goodman (Rockies) round out the American contingent. Between them, they cover the Tigers, Orioles, Cubs, Reds, Twins, Nationals, and Rockies.
And If You’re a Rangers Fan
Texas Rangers pitcher Jacob Latz throws to the San Diego Padres during the ninth inning of a baseball game, Friday, June 19, 2026 in Arlington, Texas. (AP Photo/Julio Cortez)
We regret to inform you that your entire All-Star representation is Jacob Latz, a relief pitcher, who may or may not appear at some point in the middle innings. Every one of the other 29 teams has someone to build a night around. You have a lefty out of the bullpen and a prayer. Godspeed, and enjoy the Red Carpet Show.
Still Nothing? Here’s the Rest of the Menu
If none of the seventy-seven moved you, World Baseball Network has always believed there is more baseball worth your time than one league can hold. Keep an eye on the international slate: winter-ball seasons across the Caribbean, the next World Baseball Classic cycle, the KBO and NPB stretch runs, and the road toward baseball’s return to the Olympic stage in Los Angeles. The All-Star Game is one night. The global game is a calendar. Find your guy, and if you can’t, find your league.
First pitch, 8 p.m. ET, FOX. Somewhere on that field is your reason to watch. Ninety-six years in, the All-Star Game’s best trick is still that it gives everybody one.
