Who will win the Home Run Derby? Odds, betting favorites, best bets for MLB's 2021 contest
The Home Run Derby returns after being canceled in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Pete Alonso is back to defend his 2019 title. Joey Gallo, Matt Olson and Salvador Perez will also be competing for the title this year. Shohei Ohtani is the only player who ranks in the top five among MLB's home run leaders.
Ohtani is the biggest draw for this year's Home Run Derby. The odds and Sporting News' best bets for the 2021 derby are available.
Shohei Ohtani is the favorite to win the 2021 Home Run Derby. Joey Gallo, Pete Alonso, Matt Olson, Salvador Perez, Trevor Story, Juan Soto and Trey Mancini are considered long shots to take the crown.
Joey Gallo is the No. 2 seed in the field ahead of the 2021 Home Run Derby. He will play Trevor Story in Round 1. Pete Alonso is a good value pick to win the derby. He has a history of hitting home runs and he won the 2019 event. The winner of Ohtani vs. Juan Soto will be announced in December. It will take place in New York. They will face off in a round of 10. Matt Olson and Trey Mancini will also play. There will only be three players in this year's tournament.
The longest homer at the 2021 Home Run Derby is over 512.5 feet. Ryan McMahon's homer in 2021 was 478 feet long. The last time the derby took place in Denver, Mark McGuire hit a homer 510 feet at Coors Field. Ohtani and Alonso are among the top six players in terms of exit velocity. The over is worth investing in the player with the most home runs. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit the least number of home run in last year's derby. He lost the final to Alonso. It's a good idea to bet on Ohtorani. His best pure power and exit velocities are the best of the bunch.
DraftKings has the over/under on total home runs hit set at 204.5. The 2019 derby's number was inflated by the 79-homer battle between Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Joc Pederson. 2021 derby could produce quite a lot of homers and could near 300 if all goes well. Coors Field is one of the most hitter-friendly environments in the league.
