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The 2021 MLB All-Star Game Home Run Derby is set to take place on Monday, July 12th with some of the top sluggers in the game. This event did not take place last season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and Pete Alonso is the defending champ from 2019. He will be back to defend his title, but he is not the favorite to win this year’s derby.
Below is a preview of the event as we take a look at the favorite, dark horse and a prop bet.
Favorite
Shohei Ohtani was voted into the All-Star Game as a pitcher and a hitter for the Los Angeles Angels. What he is doing is historic in the game of baseball, and he is the favorite to win the Home Run Derby. Ohtani leads the MLB with 33 home runs, at least five homers more than anybody else in the sport. As the favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, he is getting +300 odds to be the winner.
Dark Horse
Baltimore Orioles hitter Trey Mancini has the worst odds among any of the eight competitors at +900, but it is not unreasonable for him to come away as the winner of the Home Run Derby. He has 15 home runs this season, which is not a ton, but it is more than Juan Soto and Trevor Story, both of which have better odds but just 11 home runs each. Mancini has an inspiring story as he missed all of the 2020 season due to being diagnosed with colon cancer, and he is worth a look at +900 odds.
Best prop bet
DraftKings Sportsbook has plenty of prop wagers available to bettors, and one that stands out is Trevor Story to advance out of the first round. He is matched up against Joey Gallo at +135 odds. Gallo has knocked out plenty more home runs than Story has this season, but Story has a slight advantage of playing for the Colorado Rockies where the derby is being held. Taking him to get to the second round with plus odds is a nice value bet.
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