If the MLB All-Star Game is tied after nine innings, it will no longer be decided in extra innings, but instead by a home run derby
Well, it finally happened, folks! According to MLB writer Anthony Castrovince should the MLB All-Star Game be tied after nine innings the winner will be determined by a home run derby. That’s right, we could see Pete Alonso versus Julio Rodriguez: Part II.
Prior to this year’s All-Star Game, the contest would always go to extra innings. The last time we saw the Midsummer Classic go to extras was in 2018. The American League defeated the National League 8-6 in 10 innings.
The AL entered the ninth inning with a 5-3. But Cincinnati Reds second baseman Scooter Gennett homered with one on and one out to send the game into extra innings. Back-to-back home runs from Alex Bregman and George Springer gave the AL a two-run advantage and a sacrifice fly from Michael Brantley put the game out of reach.
MLB All-Star Game extra-inning rules
So how will this year’s MLB All-Star Game will be decided if it’s tied after nine innings? Each manager has preselected three participants. On the AL side you would get to see Ty France, Julio Rodriguez, and Kyle Tucker. For the NL Pete Alonso, Ronald Acuña Jr., and Kyle Schwarber.
Each player will get three swings apiece and the team with the most home runs after all three participants have taken their cuts will be declared the winner. Since the Los Angeles Dodgers are the hosts for tonight’s festivities, the National League would bat second.
If, after all six batters have taken three swings apiece, the score is still tied, then each manager will select one player to participate in a head-to-head tiebreaker. This will continue until a winner is declared.
This new tiebreaker could certainly add some drama to tonight’s MLB All-Star Game and I’m sure that everyone, for a change, is rooting for a tie.