2026 MLB All-Star Game
CJ Abrams is batting cleanup, James Wood will come off the bench and Foster Griffin could pitch out of the bullpen in tonight's Midsummer Classic
Not since 2018 has a Nationals position player been in the starting lineup for the All-Star Game. And CJ Abrams isn’t just starting tonight’s Midsummer Classic in Philadelphia; he’s batting cleanup for a loaded National League squad. And deservedly so, given his offensive numbers through the season’s first half.
Abrams figures to get at least two at-bats tonight, and if the NL can get at least one runner on base in the bottom of the first, he’ll get to take that at-bat against Blue Jays right-hander Dylan Cease. James Wood, meanwhile, will come off the bench at some point. Depending on how things progress, he may get only one at-bat, two if he’s lucky. No player in Nats history has ever hit a home run in the All-Star Game. Could one of these two stars tonight break that curse?
On the pitching side, Foster Griffin may have been the last player added to the NL roster, only finding out Saturday night. But this is actually his day to pitch after he started last Wednesday against the Astros, so he’s certainly available to come out of the bullpen if Dave Roberts wants to use him.
I’m not covering the game in person at Citizens Bank Park, but I’ll certainly be watching it from home and will share my thoughts along the way for anyone who wants to join in the comments section. Here’s hoping we get as much excitement tonight as we got Monday night in an electric Home Run Derby!
2026 MLB ALL-STAR GAME
AMERICAN LEAGUE vs. NATIONAL LEAGUE
Where: Citizens Bank Park
Gametime: 8:05 p.m. EDT
TV: FOX
Radio: ESPN Radio
Weather: Clear, 87 degrees, wind 11 mph out to right
AMERICAN LEAGUE
CF Mike Trout
DH Yordan Alvarez
C Shea Langeliers
3B Junior Caminero
SS Bobby Witt Jr.
RF Cody Bellinger
1B Ben Rice
LF Riley Greene
2B Ernie Clement
RHP Dylan Cease
NATIONAL LEAGUE
DH Kyle Schwarber
RF Juan Soto
1B Freddie Freeman
SS CJ Abrams
3B Max Muncy
2B Ozzie Albies
LF Brandon Marsh
CF Andy Pages
C Drake Baldwin
LHP Cristopher Sanchez