Back in 2021, the Braves won the World Series in the 44th week of the year that their forever No. 44, Henry Aaron, passed away. And now they’re hosting the Midsummer Classic on 7/15 — another number, sans slash, that will always be associated with Atlanta.
So an inner-circle legend of Braves past pervades the 2025 MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard on Tuesday night at Truist Park, and Hammerin’ Hank will rightly be honored with an innovative, in-game recreation of his famous 715th blast.
But of course it’s the game’s current conquerors who make up the National League and American League rosters. They, too, will give a nod to tradition with the return to wearing their regular-season uniforms as opposed to the All-Star-specific attire of recent years.
And this year’s exhibition will also give us a window into the future, too, with the automated ball-strike challenge system available to both clubs and getting its most prominent usage yet.
As Atlanta gears up to host the Midsummer Classic for the third time and the first in what is sure to be an electric Battery area, here’s everything you need to know about the 2025 All-Star Game.
Here’s everything you need to know ahead of the Midsummer Classic.
What are the starting lineups?
1. Shohei Ohtani, Dodgers, DH
2. Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves, LF
3. Ketel Marte, Diamondbacks, 2B
4. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers, 1B
5. Manny Machado, Padres, 3B
6. Will Smith, Dodgers, C
7. Kyle Tucker, Cubs, RF
8. Francisco Lindor, Mets, SS
9. Pete Crow-Armstrong, Cubs, CF
1. Gleyber Torres, Tigers, 2B
2. Riley Greene, Tigers, LF
3. Aaron Judge, Yankees, RF
4. Cal Raleigh, Mariners, C
5. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays, 1B
6. Ryan O’Hearn, Orioles, DH
7. Junior Caminero, Rays, 3B
8. Javier Báez, Tigers, CF
9. Jacob Wilson, Athletics, SS
How can I watch the game?
The 95th Midsummer Classic will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and TDA Sports; and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish language coverage in the United States.
Who are the starting pitchers?
Reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal will get the ball for the AL while the Pirates’ Paul Skenes will start for the NL for the second consecutive season.
Skubal will be the first Tigers pitcher to start the All-Star Game since Max Scherzer in 2013. The 23-year-old Skenes will be the youngest pitcher to start the All-Star Game in consecutive years.
Dave Roberts of the defending World Series champion Dodgers and Aaron Boone of the defending AL champion Yankees will serve as the managers.
This will be Roberts’ fourth All-Star Game as the manager of the NL team. He was at the helm in 2018, ’19 and ’21. Boone will be managing in the Midsummer Classic for the first time.
Joe Torre, who managed the Yankees to four World Series titles, is an honorary coach for the AL team, as is Guardians manager Stephen Vogt. Braves manager Brian Snitker and Marlins manager Clayton McCullough are the NL’s honorary coaches.
Who are the position player reserves and pitching staffs?
Check out an updated list of the complete 2025 All-Star rosters here.
How were players selected for this year’s All-Star Game?
The All-Star starters were chosen through two phases of fan voting. The pitchers and reserves for both squads were determined via “Player Ballot” choices and selections made by the Commissioner’s Office. To know all about the All-Star selection process and roster rules, click here.
What do the All-Star Game jerseys look like?
However, players will be wearing special jerseys during the Gatorade All-Star Workout Day and the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 14, one day before the Midsummer Classic. Players competing in the Derby will be wearing the special jerseys as well. You can see those jerseys below.
How will Hank Aaron be celebrated?
On April 8, 1974, at Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium, Aaron passed Babe Ruth with his 715th homer to become MLB’s all-time leader at the time. MLB will pay tribute to that legendary moment with a special presentation, airing live on FOX, in which Aaron’s homer will be recreated through the use of projection mapping and custom pyrotechnics in the ballpark at the end of the sixth inning or later, depending on lighting.
How does the challenge system work?
This will mark the first time the event features use of the automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system, powered by T-Mobile’s 5G network. The game will feature the same rules that were in use during an experiment with the challenge system in Spring Training this year. Each team will begin the game with two challenges apiece, with correct challenges retained and challenges only coming from the pitcher, catcher or hitter, without any assistance from the dugout. A challenge occurs when the player taps his cap or helmet to alert the umpire and initiate the challenge.
Does the All-Star Game still decide home-field advantage in the World Series?
No. That element was removed as part of the Collective Bargaining Agreement before the 2017 season. Since then, the All-Star Game has returned to being an exhibition and home-field advantage in the World Series has gone to the pennant-winner with the better regular-season record.
How many times have the Braves hosted the All-Star Game?
The Braves have been the host team for four previous All-Star Games, two in Atlanta. The AL won the most recent edition in 2000 behind three hits from Yankees icon Derek Jeter, who was named MVP. Even in defeat, Braves star Chipper Jones gave the hometown crowd plenty to cheer about with three hits of his own, including a home run in the third inning.
The NL triumphed on a walk-off single in the 10th inning from All-Star Game MVP Joe Morgan in ’72. But the most memorable moment of that night came in the sixth inning, when Braves legend Henry Aaron hit a go-ahead homer in front of the home fans.
The Boston Braves hosted the All-Star Game in 1936, which featured a Lou Gehrig homer for the AL in a losing effort. Nineteen years later, the Milwaukee Braves hosted the 1955 Midsummer Classic. That 7-6 NL victory ended on Stan Musial’s walk-off homer in the 12th inning. Musial’s six All-Star dingers are the most by any player.
Which league has the all-time edge in the All-Star Game?
The AL has the all-time lead — 48 wins and 44 losses, with two ties — and has dominated in recent decades. The AL has lost just seven times since 1988 and four times since 1997. The league was undefeated in 13 consecutive All-Star Games from 1997 through 2009. After three straight losses from 2010-2012, the AL has won 10 of the past 11 games.
How can fans get involved in the game?
What happened in the 2024 All-Star Game?
After its nine-game winning streak was snapped in 2023, the American League got back in the win column last year with a 5-3 triumph inside Texas’ Globe Life Field. Red Sox outfielder Jarren Duran belted a tiebreaking two-run home run in the fifth inning en route to being named All-Star Game MVP.
