The Mid-Summer Classic is upon us, but before the MLB All-Star game on Tuesday night, we have the annual Home Run Derby. This year’s contest takes place at Truist Field in Atlanta, Georgia, home of the Atlanta Braves.
Home Run Derby Rules
This is the second year with no more bracket-style competition. All eight hitters will compete directly against each other. The top four hitters will move on to the semifinals. If there’s a tie after the first round and bonus period, the tie-breaker is the longest home run hit in the first round.
In the semifinals, the format shifts to a bracket style, with No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3. The seeds are determined solely by the number of home runs each player hit in the first round. Players will have two minutes or 27 pitches in the semifinals and finals, and home run totals from the first round don’t carry over.
Ties in the semifinals or finals are broken by a 60-second “swing-off” with no additional time added. If a tie remains after the “swing-off,” batters then engage in successive three-swing “swing-offs” until there is a winner.
The winners of the two semifinal matchups advance to the finals, where the limits are reduced to two minutes and 27 pitches. The player with the most home runs after that period is crowned Home Run Derby champion.
One final note: Each batter is entitled to one 45-second timeout in each of the three regulation periods, but timeouts can’t be called during the bonus periods or tiebreakers.
rules courtesy of mlb.com
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Our predictions on who will win are below. Enjoy the Home Run Derby!
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Byron Buxton, Twins
Home Runs: 20 | Longest: 479 feet
Oneil Cruz, Pirates
Home Runs: 16 | Longest: 463 feet
Junior Caminero, Rays
Home Runs: 23 | Longest: 425 feet
Brent Rooker, A’s
Home Runs: 19 | Longest: 440 feet
Jazz Chisholm, Jr., Yankees
Home Runs: 17 | Longest: 442 feet
Matt Olson, Braves
Home Runs: 17 | Longest: 434 feet
James Wood, Nationals
Home Runs: 24 | Longest: 451 feet
Cal Raleigh, Mariners
Home Runs: 36 | Longest: 440 feet
CLICK HERE TO BET THE HOME RUN DERBY
Jay’s Picks: Byron Buxton (+800) and Brent Rooker (+1000)
Bobby’s Picks: Matt Olson (+750) and Brent Rooker (+1000)
