Team USA vs. World All-Star Baseball Showdown 2026

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On Saturday, Hall of Fame member John Smoltz discussed a possibleAll-Star Game format change.His concept? Introducing a Team USA versus Team World contest in the annual Midsummer Classic. The idea would be highly fascinating, as Smoltzdiscussed it in detailto Foul Territory on X, formerly Twitter.

“John Smoltz wants to see the All-Star Game feature USA against the World,” stated the baseball-oriented account on their profile.

Let’s explore this situation. What would each team consist of? Who would be in charge of each team? In the present structure, the managers from last season’s World Series teams oversee each league. Would it appear like this?like the World Baseball Classic,Where is Mark DeRosa the manager of Team USA? Also, how frequently would this version of the All-Star Game take place? Only during World Baseball Classic years, such as next season? Or would it become a long-term option? Let’s assume the new format begins with the 2026 event in Philadelphia. Here’s how the Team USA roster might appear.

Team USA’s roster will be headed byAaron Judge, Cal Raleigh

SS Bobby Witt Jr., Kansas City Royals
RF Aaron Judge, New York Yankees (C)
LF Kyle Tucker, Chicago Cubs
C Cal Raleigh, Seattle Mariners
1B Pete Alonso, New York Mets
DH Kyle Schwarber, Philadelphia Eagles
3B Alex Bregman, Boston Red Sox
2B Jackson Holliday, Baltimore Orioles
CF Pete Crow-Armstrong, Chicago Cubs

Bench: C Will Smith, Los Angeles Dodgers; 1B Freddie Freeman, Los Angeles Dodgers; SS Gunnar Henderson, Baltimore Orioles; OF Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks

Based on this anticipated team, it’sevident that Team USA wouldpossess a huge amount of hitting power. Picture yourself as Shota Imanaga or Sandy Alcantara, having to deal with this lineup as the starting pitcher for the World team. A top three of Witt Jr., Judge and Tucker would trouble nearly any pitcher in baseball history. Adding Raleigh in the cleanup position would be the final touch. The Mariners’ catcher is having what might be the greatest offensive season ever by a catcher, so it’s nothing to worry about.

Alonso as the first baseman was a tight decision compared to a few other choices, but he’s having an outstanding season since re-signing with the Mets during the off-season. Schwarber is the top designated hitter in the game, excluding Ohtani, and he single-handedlywon the All-Star Gamefor the NL last week. You might make a case for a few other players at third base (such as the San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman), but Bregman’s hitting and fielding would be a great boost to the lower part of the lineup.

Completing the starting nine would be a duo of promising young players. Holliday was a former first overall selection who has the potential to become a superstar by the time the2026 All-Star Game rollsaround. That would not come as a surprise to many baseball fans. In the meantime, the individual also referred to as “PCA” has developed into the young star that the Cubs’ management had wished he would be. Crow-Armstrong is also among the top candidates for NL MVP. Not a bad number nine hitter.

Restarting Smith over Raleigh wouldn’t have raised concerns during last spring training. However, considering Raleigh’s performance this season, it’s plausible that his form would carry over into 2026. Freeman was just behind Alonso at first base (the Phillies’ Bryce Harper was a strong third), and there could be a case for any of the three. Choosing Henderson over Witt Jr. as the starter would also have been understandable. As for Carroll, it’s safe to say he’s another potential NL MVP candidate, and it’s definitely possible his game will continue to develop going into 2026 and beyond.

Anticipated World Team for All-Star Game led by Ronald Acuna Jr.

DH Shohei Ohtani, Los Angeles Dodgers (C)
SS Elly de la Cruz, Cincinnati Reds
RF Ronald Acuña Jr., Atlanta Braves
1B Vladimir Guerrero, Toronto Blue Jays
3B Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians
2B Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks
C William Conteras, Milwaukee Brewers
CF Julio Rodriguez, Seattle Mariners
LF Randy Arozarena, Seattle Mariners

Bench: C Salvador Perez, Kansas City Royals; IF Jazz Chisholm Jr., New York Yankees; OF Fernando Tatis Jr., San Diego Padres; 3B Junior Caminero, Tampa Bay Rays

Any World lineup has to start with Ohtani,undoubtedly the finest international player in the majors. Following him is de la Cruz at shortstop, Acuna Jr. in right field, and Guerrero Jr. at first base. The top four of this lineup is truly packed with stars, as each player is regarded as a Top 25 overall talent in MLB. With third baseman Jose Ramirez batting fifth, the top four would be well protected. Pitchers from the opposing team, even those as strong as Skubal and Skenes, would find it challenging to deal with the first five hitters in this lineup.

Second baseman Ketel Marte is highly underappreciated, with many unaware that he is arguably the top player at his position in the league today. Catcher William Contreras is rising through the ranks and would make a strong addition for the younger players.Leaning Team World’s starting roster.The pairing of Seattle Mariners’ outfielders, Julio Rodriguez and Randy Arozarena, would occupy the bottom of the batting order. This would create a strong and well-rounded lineup capable of defeating Team USA in multiple ways.

Contreras narrowly beat Perez at catcher, as the veteran has experienced a resurgence over the past few seasons in Kansas City. He previously set the catching record for home runs a couple of seasons back, a record that is expected to be broken by Raleigh this year. Chisholm Jr. is versatile and can play multiple positions on the field, similar to Tatis Jr., who also possesses that kind of adaptability. Both players would fit well in the starting lineup. Choosing Caminero for the final spot instead of a more established player like Chicago Cubs outfielder Seiya Suzuki or his teammate Yandy Diaz could add additional potential andFirepower to the World’s depth.

Possible USA pitching rotation might be the top group in the All-Star Game

Starting Pitchers: Left-handed pitcher Tarik Skubal, representing the Detroit Tigers; right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes, from the Pittsburgh Pirates; right-handed pitcher Spencer Strider, of the Atlanta Braves; left-handed pitcher Garrett Crochet, with the Boston Red Sox; right-handed pitcher Bryan Woo, part of the Seattle Mariners; and right-handed pitcher Zack Wheeler, from the Philadelphia Phillies

Relief Pitchers: Left-handed pitcher Josh Hader, Houston Astros; Right-handed pitcher Jason Adam, San Diego Padres; Right-handed pitcher Cade Smith, Cleveland Guardians; Right-handed pitcher Ryan Helsley, St. Louis Cardinals; Right-handed pitcher Mason Miller, Athletics; Right-handed pitcher Trevor Megill, Milwaukee Brewers

A starting rotation led by what is expected to be the consecutive AL Cy Young award winner in Skubal would be a remarkable foundation.Team United States would have itsChoose any number of top-tier starting pitchers to complete their roster. All six of the names mentioned above have been All-Stars and have achieved even more. All six are definitely names to keep an eye on in the coming years, as most are still in their 20s.

Skenes is already among the most prominent and celebrated figures in sports. Strider stands out as one of the top strikeout pitchers in baseball. Crochet has developed into one of the finest left-handed pitchers globally. Woo (or one of his teammates such as Logan Gilbert or George Kirby) is part of MLB’s premier starting rotation. Wheeler would serve as the group’s veteran, but the former NL Cy Young winner remains a formidable presence.

The relief pitching would be solid, but not quite.as deep as Team World’s.Hader has consistently been among the top closers in baseball for many years, and his second season with the Astros is progressing smoothly. Helsley and Miller have also emerged as two of the premier relievers in the sport, and both could potentially be traded ahead of the upcoming trade deadline. Megill and Smith are gaining momentum, establishing themselves as key contributors in competitive bullpens. Adam will once again represent Team USA after previously pitching for the team in the 2023 World Baseball Classic.

The starting rotation would definitely be America’s strengthIn this hypothetical scenario, there’s no question that their bullpen would be capable of closing out nearly any situation. The only potential change could involve adding another left-handed pitcher to the relief squad. There are several available options, such as A.J. Minter from the New York Mets or Tanner Scott from the Los Angeles Dodgers (assuming he’s healthy), who could also perform that role effectively.

Team World’s pitching is guided by experienced starting pitchers

Starting Pitchers: Right-handed pitcher Shota Imanaga, Chicago Cubs; right-handed pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto, Los Angeles Dodgers; right-handed pitcher Sandy Alcantara, Miami Marlins; right-handed pitcher Luis Castillo, Seattle Mariners; left-handed pitcher Yusei Kikuchi, Los Angeles Angels; right-handed pitcher Pablo Lopez, Minnesota Twins

Relief Pitchers: Left-handed pitcher Robert Suarez, affiliated with the San Diego Padres; right-handed pitchers Andres Munoz of the Seattle Mariners, Carlos Estevez from the Kansas City Royals, Edwin Diaz with the New York Mets, Jhoan Duran of the Minnesota Twins, and Emmanuel Clase from the Cleveland Indians.

At first glance, The world’s top pitching rotationwouldn’t be quite as powerful as Team USA’s. While it may not be as skilled as the United States, it remains formidable. The Japanese group of Imanaga, Yamamoto, and Kikuchi is a solid foundation. Each foreign player has demonstrated being among the league’s top starting pitchers and has contributed to the success of their respective team’s starting lineups.

Right-handed pitchers Sandy Alcantara, Luis Castillo, and Pablo Lopez would complete the starting rotation. Each of them is also a key member of their respective major league rotations. Alcantara aims to regain his former Cy Young performance. Castillo is considered one of the most underappreciated starters over the past two decades. Lopez has made another advancement during his time in Minnesota, although injuries have somewhat restricted his availability. Other potential candidates for the final starting pitcher spot include Kodai Senga from the New York Mets and Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros.

Team World’s bullpen, however,could arguably be the top individual unit in the entire fictional All-Star Game. All six pitchers are regarded as some of MLB’s finest closers. Suarez and Estevez are both late developers, ultimately securing their spots in the major leagues through challenging journeys.

Munoz, Diaz, Duran, and Clase are among the top relievers in baseball.Diaz’s prior participation in the World Baseball Classicwas damaged by an injury, but he has come back stronger, solidifying his position as one of the league’s premier closers. Clase has submitted several bids for the AL Cy Young award and is considered the top closer in the game. Munoz and Duran leverage powerful pitching repertoires to their benefit. Additionally, picture hearing either Diaz or Duran’s theme in the bottom of the ninth inning. Even the league’s top hitters would experience a chill at that moment.

Who would triumph in this fictional USA versus World All-Star Match?

Let’s examine this on a per-unit basis. Between each lineup, it’s quite tight. While Team USA would probably outperformTeam Global, the imagined worldwide teamThe team is more deep and physically superior. If the All-Star Game remained just a single-night showcase, this wouldn’t be as significant. However, as another quick scenario: what if there was a three-game series between each side, with the victorious team earning the right to host the World Baseball Classic final when it takes place again.

When it comes to the pitching rotations,The United States certainly has the advantage.At the starting pitcher position. A rotation featuring Skubal, Skenes, Strider, Wheeler, Crochet, and Woo would create nightmares for the World’s hitting coaches. However, the World’s bullpen is extremely strong. If they can enter the late innings with a lead, it would be very challenging for any group of hitters to make a comeback. Even one as powerful as the United States lineup above. In the end, Team USA winning a close game, perhaps even one that goes to an extra inning, seems like the most probable result.

Regardless, the format proposed by Smoltz is an enjoyable concept to explore. It might be something we witness in the future. As early as 2026? That alone may seem improbable, but anything can happen. Should 2026 in Philadelphia mark the moment for this shift, then the rosters mentioned are the ones we might encounter. From now until then, who can say who might secure a position to represent their nation in the newest possible iteration of what is arguably the most iconic…exciting All-Star Game format in professional sports.

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