If you tuned into the 2024 Midsummer Classic expecting a low-scoring pitcher’s duel, you were probably pretty shocked by the third inning. By the time the dust settled at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, we had our answer: The American League won the 2024 MLB All-Star Game with a final score of 5-3.
It wasn't just a win. It was a statement. The AL has now taken 10 of the last 11 matchups. Honestly, the National League has to be getting tired of this script by now.
The game had everything you’d want—rookie sensations, a 103 mph heater, and a Shohei Ohtani moonshot that briefly made everyone think the NL might actually pull it off this time. But, as it usually does, the American League found a way to claw back.
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The AL victory didn't look like a sure thing early on. In fact, things looked kinda grim for them in the third. Shohei Ohtani, doing Shohei Ohtani things, absolutely demolished a three-run homer off the Red Sox’s Tanner Houck. That 400-foot blast gave the National League a 3-0 lead. You could almost feel the momentum shifting.
But it didn't last. Like, at all.
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The American League answered immediately in the bottom of the third. Juan Soto, who’s basically a walking highlight reel at this point, cracked a two-run double. Then David Fry, an "unlikely" All-Star from Cleveland, poked a single to tie it up. Just like that, the 3-0 lead evaporated.
The real hero, though? Jarren Duran.
Coming off the bench, the Boston Red Sox outfielder stepped up in the fifth inning against Hunter Greene. On an 0-1 count, Greene hung a splitter. Duran didn't miss. He launched a two-run, 413-foot shot to right-center field that stayed in the air forever. That home run provided the final 5-3 margin and secured Duran the Ted Williams All-Star Game MVP Award. He became the first Red Sox player to take home the trophy since J.D. Drew back in 2008.
Pitching Fireworks and Record-Breaking Heat
While the bats got the headlines, the arms were just as wild. Paul Skenes, the Pittsburgh Pirates rookie sensation, started for the NL. He’s the first rookie to start the game since Hideo Nomo in '95. He lived up to the hype, throwing a scoreless first inning and even getting Aaron Judge to ground out.
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But then there was Mason Miller.
If you haven't seen this kid pitch for Oakland, you're missing out. He earned the win for the AL and, in the process, threw the fastest pitch in All-Star Game history since Statcast started tracking in 2008. He uncorked a 103.6 mph fastball to Trea Turner. Honestly, how do you even see that, let alone hit it?
The AL bullpen was basically a brick wall for the rest of the night. After that rocky third inning, six different AL relievers combined to toss six scoreless innings. Emmanuel Clase, the Guardians' closer with that "disappearing" cutter, came on in the ninth to shut the door and earn the save.
What This Means for the Record Books
With this 5-3 win, the American League extends its lead in the all-time series to 48-44-2. It’s a lopsided era for baseball. Since 1997, the AL has gone 22-4-1.
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Why does this keep happening? Some experts point to the AL's depth of power hitters, while others think it's just the luck of the draw in a one-game exhibition. But seeing the AL go 5-for-5 on its few hits while the NL stranded runners despite having 10 hits tells you a lot about "clutch" factor.
The NL actually out-hit the AL 10 to 5. Think about that. The National League had double the hits and still lost by two runs. That’s baseball for you.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Bettors
If you’re looking at these results to predict what happens in the 2025 All-Star Game at Truist Park or the 2026 game at Citizens Bank Park, keep these trends in mind:
- Bet the AL until proven otherwise: The 10-1 record over the last 11 games is a massive sample size. The AL just finds ways to win these close contests.
- The "Under" is usually a safe bet: Despite the homers from Ohtani and Duran, the game stayed relatively low-scoring. This has been a recurring theme in the Midsummer Classic over the last decade.
- Watch the Bullpens: The AL's ability to trot out guys throwing 100+ mph in the late innings is the real difference-maker. When managers can cycle through elite closers for one inning each, the offense usually stalls.
Next time you're debating who the superior league is, just point to the 2024 box score. The American League might not have had the most hits, but they had the ones that counted.
Keep an eye on the upcoming 2025 season. With young stars like Skenes and Duran now firmly on the map, the landscape of the league is shifting fast. You’ll want to track how these specific players perform in high-leverage situations during the regular season, as All-Star performance is often a precursor to postseason "clutch" moments.