The annual Home Run Derby kicks off the All-Star Game festivities as plenty of long balls are expected at the high altitude of Coors Field in Denver, Colorado on Monday, July 12.
This year's favorite is Angels' two-way star Shohei Ohtani, who is listed at +325 (13/4 odds). Ohtani leads MLB with 32 home runs, as he is the only player currently in the top five of home runs to be participating in this challenge.
Right behind Ohtani is Rangers' slugger Joey Gallo, who has 23 home runs on the season, ranking third in the American League. Gallo is taking the stage at the Derby for the first time in his career and is listed at +450 to win.
Since there wasn't a Home Run Derby in 2020 due to the pandemic, the defending champion is Mets' star Pete Alonso, who captured this challenge back in 2019 in Cleveland. Alonso was the MLB home run leader that year with 53 bombs, but the first baseman has hit only 15 this season.
Home Run Derby Predictions, Best Bets
Mets' slugger Pete Alonso looks for his second consecutive Home Run Derby crown on Monday night at Coors Field. (AP)
2021 HOME RUN DERBY ODDS
| Player (Team) | Odds |
| Shohei Ohtani (L.A. Angels) | +325 |
| Joey Gallo (Texas) | +450 |
| Pete Alonso (N.Y. Mets) | +500 |
| Matt Olson (Oakland) | +650 |
| Trevor Story (Colorado) | +700 |
| Salvador Perez (Kansas City) | +800 |
| Juan Soto (Washington) | +900 |
| Trey Mancini (Baltimore) | +1100 |
HOW TO READ THE MLB HOME RUN DERBY BETTING ODDS
The Home Run Derby is an annual contest that takes place during the Major League Baseball All-Star break. The player that goes through three rounds with the most home runs captures the title.
HOME RUN DERBY CHAMPIONS (LAST 10 YEARS)
- 2020 - Cancelled
- 2019 - Pete Alonso, New York Mets
- 2018 - Bryce Harper, Washington
- 2017 - Aaron Judge, New York Yankees
- 2016 - Giancarlo Stanton, Miami
- 2015 - Todd Frazier, Cincinnati
- 2014 - Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland
- 2013 - Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland
- 2012 - Prince Fielder, Detroit
- 2011 - Robinson Cano, New York Yankees
