2024 MLB All-Star Game odds, predictions: The AL's run of dominance is over (for now) but 1 trend lives on

Before last season, the approach to betting the MLB All-Star Game was pretty simple: just put your money on the American League.

The AL had won 21 of the last 25 all-star games prior to the NL’s triumph in 2023, including a commanding nine straight wins. Now, though, it’s back to being a complete toss up — at least for a year.

BetMGM odds again favor the AL at -120 on the moneyline for Monday’s game, with a safer bet being for the AL to cover +1.5 after three of the last four games ended within a single run. But -225 is a tough number to swallow on the spread.

Especially given the unpredictable nature of all-star games, I’d be more inclined to take the longer +100 odds on a National League victory.

However, my favorite bet is for the game to fall under the total at 7.5 runs. Pitching has simply dominated the all-star game, with six of the last seven games falling under this total, including four straight. Overall, the under has cashed in 14 of the last 17 all-stars, according to the Las Vegas Review-Journal.

As for prop markets, the public is leaning heavy on odds for NL rookie Paul Skenes to win MVP. Though his +2800 odds trail 14 other players, he’s BetMGM’s biggest liability to win the award.

MLB All-Star Game MVP odds (BetMGM)

• Shohei Ohtani (+900)
• Aaron Judge (+1000)
• Bryce Harper (+1200)
• Gunnar Henderson (+1300)
• Juan Soto (+1400)
• Yordan Álvarez (+1800)
• Adley Rutschman, Bobby Witt Jr., Trea Turner, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. (+2000)
• Christian Yelich, José Ramírez, Ketel Marte, William Contreras (+2500)

With Skenes set to pitch just one inning, though, that bet feels like throwing money away. I’d rather run with someone batting in a spot to drive in a run or two, like Bryce Harper at +1200. Shohei Ohtani at +900 is the most ticketed player for the award.

The public also likes Ohtani to hit a home run at +450 odds, with that being the second-most popular prop at BetMGM behind -140 odds on no runs being scored in the first inning.

As long-shots go, I actually like a market in the opposite direction a little more. The AL has +300 odds to win the first inning, which only happens if Skenes struggles a bit. And though we haven’t seen the 22-year-old rattle much, the AL’s starting lineup is absolutely stacked and capable of causing him trouble.