MLB All-Star Weekend 2018: Dates, times, location, TV schedule, and more

Info on the Futures Game, Home Run Derby, and All-Star Game.

Jul 13, 2018, 2:00 PM UTC

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MLB: Miami Marlins at Washington Nationals

Geoff Burke-USA TODAY Sports

The all-star break is coming after this weekend, as the baseball turns its collective attention to Washington D.C. for the 2018 MLB All-Star Game. There are three days of televised, competitive events to watch, beginning even when major league games are going on.

All-Star Weekend is a bit of a misnomer here, as the game action in Washington doesn’t start until Sunday and the main events are Monday and Tuesday. But the three days of baseball showcasing its present and future stars is a time when MLB has the sports calendar mostly to itself.

Things start in earnest on Sunday with the Futures Game (4 p.m. ET, MLB Network), the 20th annual gathering of most of the top prospects in the sport, including Fernando Tatis Jr., Brendan Rogers, and Bo Bichette and many others. The teams are split into two rosters, with Torii Hunter managing the U.S. team and David Ortiz managing the World squad.

Monday is highlighted by the Home Run Derby (8 p.m., ESPN), during which eight contestants will wow us with glorified batting practice while wearing Nationals-themed jerseys depending on the league:

MLB Photos via Getty Images

Since the switch to a bracketed and timed head-to-head format in 2015, the Home Run Derby has been exciting and fun, so far just the right mix of dingers and drama. Todd Frazier captured the crown three years ago in front of his home fans in Cincinnati then reached the final round again in 2016, only to run into a goliath in Giancarlo Stanton, who pounded 20 home runs in the finale and hit 61 homers in three rounds to take the honors in San Diego.

In 2017 fellow giant human Aaron Judge took the crown, and during the process had an epic duel with hometown hero Justin Bour in Miami. Bour banged 22 home runs in the opening round, more than anyone else. But Judge, up last, was up to the challenge with 23 of his own to advance.

The crown jewel comes Tuesday, with the MLB All-Star Game (8 p.m., Fox) in Washington D.C. for the first time since 1969. The Nationals franchise has technically hosted a midsummer classic before, but that was back in 1982 when they were the Expos and the game was played in Montreal.

Interleague play has diluted the novelty of different leagues facing each other. The rivalry between the American League and National League isn’t as heated as the old days, but there is still some pride at work, especially with the AL having won the last five All-Star Games and 12 of the last 15. The all-time series is knotted up 43-43-2, so maybe this game is important after all.