Home Run Derby Is Bigger Than The All-Star Game -

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Every All-Star game has its skills competition. The one edge that Major League Baseball has on the other sports is the fact that hitting home runs is cool even if it’s a batting practice pitcher grooving them in. New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso is the two-time champ and there’s a lot of talk in and outside of betting circles about him possibly winning three in a row.

Pete Is The Show

It’s Alonso’s year for runs batted in as he leads all of baseball with 77. Alonso will be the guy to watch, and he will bring his roadshow. He’s revived this event win or lose and that’s why a large number of people are going to watch it.

Last Man with Consecutive Wins

Yoenis Cespedes, while with the Oakland A’s is the last player to win twice in a row. Ken Griffey Jr. has won three of them, but nobody has won three in a row. Since there was no game in 2020 due to the pandemic, Alonso gets that opportunity.

Who’s Your Vladdy?

Blue Jays slugger, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit the most home runs in a round. He hit 40 in 2019. He’s not in the field this year. Some players worry about messing up their swing. That’s why Aaron Judge isn’t in this. Alonso doesn’t feel that way and based on his home run totals every year, it hasn’t mattered in the least.

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The Old Man Is Trying

Cardinals legend, Albert Pujols is trying to win this. I am immediately saying he won’t. Corey Seager used to play at Dodgers Stadium. Does he know something? Nope, the Rangers shortstop will fail. The Guardians Jose Ramirez is legit, but I think he will run out of gas. He’s not in great shape. Juan Soto is a natural talent. Will the fact that he turned down a $440 million dollar offer affect him in this event? It could but probably not.

The Three to Beat

Ronald Acuna Jr. is well rested, well rehabbed and the best is yet to come this season for the Braves slugger. Kyle Schwarber for the Phillies has been the “hottest” home run hitter in the National League. When he’s on, he’s on.

Schwarber Will Win

I feel like both Alonso and Schwarber are amazing when they heat up. Alonso knows how to pace himself. And Schwarber could burn out but I see it coming down to the wire for one or both of them and the Phillies slugger will win. It just seems like his year for home runs.