Home Run Derby Preview: Competition Format, Betting Odds & Predictions!

The All Star Break is finally here, meaning today is a very dead day in the sports world. However, the festivities kick off tonight with arguably the best competition across any All Star Weekend, the Home Run Derby. I don’t want to hear about the Slam Dunk Contest or anything that happens at the Pro Bowl, there is nothing like the MLB All Star Break, and certainly nothing compares to this competition.

Now the MLB is always messing with us and switching up the rules, so once again, we have a brand new format for the Home Run Derby. But have no fear, we’ve got you covered! This piece can serve as your 2024 Home Run Derby Guide that will cover all of the following.

• Competition Format
• Betting Odds to Win the Derby
• Prediction and Picks

We have a great lineup competing this year, full of some new faces, a bunch of young studs in the game, and a man who is trying to tie a record for most Home Run Derby victories of all time. What a way to start the best All Star Break in all of professional sports.

Home Run Derby Information

Home Run Derby Event Info

• Venue: Globe Life Field (Arlington, TX)
• Date: Monday, July 15th, 2024
• Time: 8:00pm Eastern
• Broadcast: ESPN

Home Run Derby Field & Betting Odds

Home Run Derby Betting Odds

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Odds to Win the Home Run Derby

• Pete Alonso (NYM) +300
• Bobby Witt Jr. (KC) +375
• Gunnar Henderson (BAL) +550
• Marcell Ozuna (ATL) +550
• Adolis Garcia (TEX) +700
• Jose Ramirez (CLE) +800
• Teoscar Hernandez (LAD) +1000
• Alec Bohm (PHI) +1600

Pete Alonso is simply Pete Alonso. He probably only plays Major League Baseball is compete and win this event, and he’s looking for his 3rd Home Run Derby Title to tie Ken Griffey Jr.’s all time record. Alonso hasn’t won since 2021.

Gunnar Henderson and Bobby Witt Jr. are two of the most exciting young players in the game, but do they have the power to compete with the big bats? It does happen to be in Globe Life Field, a very friendly hitter park.

Adolis García and Jose Ramirez are back once again, and both could make some history. García could become the 4th player to win in the Home Run Derby in their home stadium, while Jose Ramirez could be the 1st switch hitter ever to win the event.

Rounding out the competition, we have Ozuna, Bohm, and Hernandez, all making their Home Run Derby debut.

Home Run Totals This Season

• Gunnar Henderson: 28
• Marcell Ozuna: 26
• Jose Ramirez: 23
• Teoscar Hernandez: 19
• Pete Alonso: 19
• Adolis Garcia: 17
• Bobby Witt Jr.: 16
• Alec Bohm: 11

The betting odds certainly don’t reflect the amount of home runs each player has hit this season, but that may or may not come into play with the new rules. Let’s breakdown the competition format.

Home Run Derby Format

Opening Round

There will be no immediate seeding to start this event, and no head to head competitions in the 1st round. To start the Home Run Derby, all eight hitter will hit as many homers in the allotted amount of time or pitches, whichever comes first. At the end of the round, the top four hitters will advance to the semifinals.

Hitters will be given either three minutes or 40 pitches (excluding bonus time), to hit as many home runs as possible As far as bonus time, players will be give three “outs” to hit as many homers as possible, with an additional out granted for any home run traveling at least 425 feet during that period. An out is scored as any ball hit that is not a home run.

After all eight hitters compete, the top four scores move on to the semifinals.

Semifinals

The top four move on and are seeding 1-4 for the semifinals based on how many home runs they hit in the opening round. Tiebreakers are decided based on longest home run, just like in determining who moves on. Once the players are seeded, we go into head to head competition. The #1 faces the #4 seed, and the #2 battles the #3 in a round with slightly less time on the clock.

In the semifinals, the rules are the same with players receiving 3 minutes or 40 pitches, with the same bonus outs awarded. Once the knockout rounds begin, tiebreakers are settled like they were last year. Players compete in a 60 second “swing off” with no stoppage or additional time. If it is still tied, batters then compete in a three swing “swing off” until a winner is decided.

The winners of each semifinal advance to the finals to once again, compete head to head.

The Finals

The rules for the finals are the exact same, with a slight decrease in time and pitches. Batters are given two minutes or 27 pitches (excluding bonus time) to hit as many yabarooskis as they can. Players receive the same bonus outs, and will compete in a swing off if things are still tied.

Home Run Derby Predictions

Now, I’ll be honest, this is Pete’s competition to lose. He’s looking to tie a record, he’s been waiting for this moment, and I think he explodes tonight. But with the Home Run Derby, betting chalk isn’t always fun. As a Kansas City Guy, I am obviously rooting for Bobby Witt at +375, but alas I don’t think he has the same power as these other guys.

While I ultimately think the only “bad bet” in this event would be Alec Bohm, I’ve got to put an actual sprinkle on Gunnar Henderson. He’s 3rd in the MLB in Home Runs this year, leads all the other competitors, and he’s hit two in July and one in his last game. For +550, I think this guy is worth a stab considering he is having an MVP caliber year.

Best Bets: Gunnar Henderson +550 BetOnline

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