The 2024 MLB Home Run Derby will kick off the All-Star festivities this week from Globe Life Field. We’re now halfway into the MLB season and the Home Run Derby acts as the perfect transition into All-Star related fun. If you’re looking to bet on the action, we have you covered with this in-depth preview.
How the 2024 MLB Home Run Derby Works
Eight participants will face off in a new-look format. Unlike the ‘knockout’ format of last year, the batters will take to the plate to slug it out, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals, where the knockouts are re-introduced. The #1 seed will face the #4 seed, while #2 and #3 seeds lock horns to decide the finalists. The seeding is decided on first-round homers, so it really is all to play for on the night.
The rounds will last 2 minutes alongside a 45-second timeout for each player, with 30-second bonuses awarded for two homers going at least 440 feet.
In the result of a tiebreaker, a 60-second duel will take place with no timeouts.
You can read the full rules and regulation breakdown from MLB.com here.
The Home Run Derby Ballpark
This year, the home run derby will take place at Globe Life Field, which is reasonably hitter-friendly. In fact, it ranks 10th in ‘park factor’ according to Baseball Savant, which measures the tendency of home runs at that stadium in comparison to others.
While it’s not going to be a deciding factor, it is encouraging to see a hitter-friendly field host the Derby from a betting and spectating perspective.
The 2024 MLB Home Run Derby Field
The group for this year’s derby is packed with talent. A mix of vets and up-and-coming hotshots fill out the eight-player field. Only one player of the eight has won this event before, and thats Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, who has done so twice. Is a third on the way, or will there be a surprise winner at Globe Life Field?
| Pete Alonso | +320 |
| Marcell Ozuna | +425 |
| Gunnar Henderson | +425 |
| Bobby Witt Jr. | +425 |
| Adolis Garcia | +600 |
| Teoscar Hernandez | +1100 |
| Jose Ramirez | +1400 |
| Alec Bohm | +1800 |
Alonso comes in as the favorite which is unsurprising given that this is his fifth appearance here. He’s been a real factor in each year he’s been called up to the plate and of course won it in his first two outings. He has 19 homers on the year and will be more than comfortable in this setting.
One of the real wildcards to watch will be Gunnar Henderson. He’s priced in the chasing pack ahead of the 2024 Home Run Derby and comes into it with 28 home runs on the season, ranking 3rd in all of Baseball. He’s been one of the leagues’ most explosive hitters and is bound to draw attention from bettors as a result.
If you’re a Philadelphia fan reading this, then Alec Bohm is obviously the name to watch. His historic run at the start of the year was more than just a flash in the pan, with Bohm becoming an RBI machine for the Phils. With that said, he only has 11 homers to his name, so is going to have to dig deep against some of the bigger hitters here.
Among the list of competitors Adolis Garcia comes in as the hometown hero. He has 17 home runs to his name this season and is more than familiar with his home ballpark. He came last in the 2023 edition of the Home Run Derby so will be hoping for redemption this time around.
2024 Home Run Derby: Best betting promos
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