Tonight at 8:00 p.m. ET on ESPN the 2015 Home Run Derby will get underway, kicking off MLB's All-Star weekend with a bang. This year's Derby will feature a new format, featuring brackets and time constraints. Live stream this year's Derby for free by clicking this link.
The 2015 field is loaded, with the eight participants seeded as follows.
1. Albert Pujols
2. Todd Frazier
3. Josh Donaldson
4. Joc Pederson
5. Manny Machado
6. Anthony Rizzo
7. Prince Fielder
8. Kris Bryant
In the new format, each player will have five minutes to hit as many home runs as possible, although in the final minute the clock will stop after every home run is hit. The winners will move on into the next round, but there will be no re-seeding in the later rounds. For example, if Prince Fielder ousts Todd Frazier in the No. 2 vs. No. 7 matchup, he will not be pitted vs. Pujols in the next round.
There will also be time bonuses for longer home runs. Per MLB.com:
"Additionally, batters can be awarded bonus time based on home run length: If a batter hits two homers during a turn that equal or exceed 420 feet, one minute of bonus time will be added. For every home run of at least 475 feet, 30 seconds will be added. Players can earn a total of one minute and 30 seconds of bonus time."
These are the opening matchups.
1. Pujols vs. Bryant
2. Pederson vs. Machado
3. Donaldson vs. Rizzo
4. Frazier vs. Fielder
These are the Derby odds per Sportsbook.com.
1. Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder (+400)
2. Todd Frazier (+500)
3. Kris Bryant (+550)
4. Josh Donaldson (+600)
5. Anthony Rizzo (+650)
6. Joc Pederson (+700)
7. Manny Machado (+850)
Fun Facts:
- Prince Fielder is the only participants to have won the Home Run Derby before. And he's won twice in (2009, 2012).
- Donaldson hit the second-longest home run of 2015, a 481-foot shot off Baltimore Orioles RHP Chris Tillman. Both Bryant and Pederson have hit 477-foot home runs this year.
- If Pujols can win tonight's Derby, he will give the Los Angeles Angels the all-time lead in team wins of the event. Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant can bestow that honor on the Chicago Cubs if either of them emerge as the winner.
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