Can Pete Alonso Add Another Home Run Derby Win?
2024 Home Run Derby Odds: Many Sleepers Have a Chance
The 2024 Home Run Derby is scheduled at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
While there are eight competitors for the Derby, only one of the eight has won the Home Run Derby previously. That’s Pete Alonso, who will be looking for his third Home Run Derby career win.
Alonso won in 2019 and 2021. He probably would’ve won in 2020 if the Derby wasn’t canceled due to the pandemic.
That said, a few competitors in the Derby still have experience. Another half of the contestants are doing it for the first time.
Below, we’ll discuss the new rule changes and look at tonight’s 2024 Home Run Derby odds.
âš¾ All-Star Home Run Derby âš¾
Day/Time:
Location: Globe Life Field, Arlington, TX
Streaming: ESPN
| Contestant | MLB Odds *Last Updated: 7/15/2024 |
|---|---|
| Pete Alonso | +300 |
| Marcell Ozuna | +380 |
| Gunnar Henderson | +430 |
| Bobby Witt Jr. | +470 |
| Adolis Garcia | +500 |
| Teoscar Hernandez | +1100 |
| Jose Ramirez | +1200 |
| Alec Bohm | +1600 |
The New Rule Changes
The Home Run Derby won’t be like it was in the past. Here are the three fundamental rule changes you’ll want to know before betting on this year’s Home Run Derby.
- Rule Change No. 1: No More Head-to-Head Bracket In First Round
Over the last few seasons, the MLB had matchups in the tournament’s quarterfinal. The matchups were based on seeding, and the seeding came from how many home runs you had heading into the Derby in the MLB regular season.
There will be no MLB matchups in the quarterfinals. Everyone will compete against one another, and the best four scores will advance to the semifinals.
Only when the semifinals arrive will matchups begin.
- Rule Change No. 2: Cap On the Number of Pitchers Per Round
Each hitter will have a maximum of 40 pitches to swing at in three minutes in the quarterfinals. However, in the Final, hitters will only have two minutes with a maximum of 27 pitches.
- Rule Change 3: No Timer For Bonus Period
Last year, you’d get a bonus if you hit a 440-foot or longer home run. Each contestant was allowed to earn this bonus twice. Therefore, many home run hitters got an added minute to their time.
This season, there’s no timed bonus. Instead, each player will get three outs to play with for the bonus. If you also hit a 425-foot home run, you’ll get a fourth out to work with.
These rule changes have changed our MLB predictions slightly.
Why Pete Alonso (+300) Is The Favorite
Pete Alonso is currently +300 to win the Home Run Derby. He’s the only contestant in the field with a Home Run Derby win. Yet, he’s already got two on his resume and is looking for a third.
When he lost the Derby, he didn’t have Dave Jauss throwing to him. Instead, he had other throwers who didn’t put it in the spot Alonso wanted.
Jauss’ name became a household one when he was pitching to Alonso. Therefore, Alonso asked him to return for this Home Run Derby and pitch to him.
Although Pete Alonso’s stats haven’t been impressive this season, he’s still got a lot of potential tonight.
Sleeper: Gunnar Henderson +430
Gunnar Henderson will make his first appearance in the Home Run Derby. He’s a left-handed slugger for the Orioles, who has hit 28 home runs this season.
Of all the contestants, Henderson has the most home runs in the regular season. He only trails Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani for the lead in the MLB.
Henderson will have his Triple-A Norfolk Manager throw him the ball. Neither have any experience, which is frightening, but Henderson’s breakout season should calm any nerves one might have before selecting him.
He’s a bonafide gamer with ridiculous power and would be one of our best MLB bets tonight.
Sleeper: Adolis Garcia +500
Adolis Garcia will have the home crowd on his side. He had participated in the Home Run Derby before but had no success.
There have been no reports on who is throwing Garcia the ball, but if it’s not Tony Beasley, everything will be alright.
Garcia added just 17 home runs in the first round and was eliminated. Essentially, Beasley was terrible at throwing strikes, and Garcia didn’t have much of an opportunity to launch home runs.
This year, he’ll be familiar with the ballpark and have many fans on his side. At +500, he’s undoubtedly a sleeper who can knock off Alonso after looking at the 2024 Home Run Derby odds.
For MLB betting news, odds analysis, and more, visit Point Spreads Sports Magazine.
Can’t get enough? Here’s more!
- Make or Break For San Francisco Against Minnesota
- Texas Rangers at Houston Astros Series Preview and Odds
- Toronto Trying To Keep Hot On Road vs Arizona
- Red Sox vs Royals: Series Preview & Betting Odds
- Can The Yankees Break Out Against Lefty Povich?
