MLB Homerun Derby Preview

The 2021 MLB All-Star Game is set to take place on Tuesday night, but the real fun begins on Monday. This is when the Home Run Derby will take place, and it features eight of the best sluggers in baseball.

Once again, Major League Baseball has seeded the field based on home runs during the regular season. This was done to set up the two biggest sluggers in the final round, but things don't always play out that way.

With the 2021 Home Run Derby taking place at Coors Field in Colorado, that should add to the drama and excitement. The ball will be jumping out of the park on Monday night, especially with some big-time sluggers.

Pete Alonso is the defending champion of this event, and he is back in to defend his crown. Trevor Story will look to put on a show in front of his hometown crowd.

Shohei Ohtani leads baseball in home runs, and he has experience in this event from his time in Japan. Joey Gallo of the Texas Rangers seems like he is built for this competition and gladly accepted an invite.

Trey Mancini of the Baltimore Orioles is in the field, just one year removed from battling cancer. Veteran catcher, Salvador Perez of the Kansas City Royals, will look to add a Home Run Derby title to his terrific career.

Matt Olson of the Oakland Athletics has experience in this event, and he will be looking to win it this time around. Finally, Juan Soto of the Washington Nationals will bring some youth to the event.

Here are the current betting 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

Tough First Round Matchups

Surviving the first round is always a challenge as it takes some players longer to get in the groove. There are always upsets in the First Round, and the favorites will look to keep this from happening.

Here are the first-round matchups for this event:

• Shohei Ohtani vs. Juan Soto
• Joey Gallo vs. Trevor Story
• Matt Olson vs. Trey Mancini
• Salvador Perez vs. Pete Alonso

Ohtani Steals the Show

The Home Run Derby usually isn't one by the biggest slugger in the event, as it takes endurance and stamina to finish it off. All of the sluggers in the field can hit bombs with the best of them, but this event is different.

Pete Alonso seems like a great pick to win this event as he is the reigning champion. Joey Gallo is another solid option as he hits the baseball farther than anyone.

The best pick, though, is the player that is doing things never before seen in Major League Baseball. Shohei Ohtani almost doesn't seem real at this point, and he is going to put on another show on Monday Night.

Bet on Shohei Ohtani to win the 2021 Home Run Derby, adding another accolade to his already impressive season.

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