Miami Marlins outfielder Giancarlo Stanton will enter the 2017 MLB Home Run Derby as the defending champion and the sports betting favorite to win it again. American League players had won the MLB Home Run Derby in five of the previous six years before Stanton, so it he broke the streak. It won’t be a surprise if they got back in the win column this year with a strong group of contenders.
In previous years of the Home Run Derby, we’ve seen a lot of stars bow out as they don’t want to “ruin their swing” for the second half of the season. That’s more been a myth than an actual trend, but it’s still interesting to see that Aaron Judge and Cody Bellinger are competing. It adds to the excitement of the event that the best home run hitters in the game are actually participating. This is not the ‘B’ squad.
The sports betting odds indicate the expectation is that it will be a two-horse race between Stanton and Aaron Judge of the New York Yankees. However, it’s worth remembering that the format has changed. We know have a bracket where the players are seeded and go head-to-head to advance. If you’re betting the event, keep that in mind as it changes the dynamics.
Here is a look at the sports betting favorites to win the 2017 MLB Home Run Derby.
OF: Giancarlo Stanton, Miami Marlins +165
Stanton is tied with Cincinnati Reds first basemen Joey Votto for the NL home run lead with 26 so far this season. Votto won’t compete in the 2017 MLB Home Run Derby, which should help Stanton’s chances to successfully defend his crown. Stanton packs a ton of power and seems to relish the All-Star stage. There is no doubt he will be motivated to defend his crown with a chance to go head-to-head with Judge in Miami. The hometown favorite will look to make it back-to-back crowns and three in a row for NL representatives.
OF: Aaron Judge, New York Yankees +168
Judge will be the top contender to unseat Stanton as the MLB Home Run Derby champion in 2017. The rookie phenom leads the majors with 30 home runs in just 301 plate appearances so far this season and has shown no signs of slowing down. Judge has already broken Joe DiMaggio’s record for most home runs by a Yankees rookie and he also ranks second in the AL with 66 RBI. Judge has created an incredible buzz around the majors and that should continue in his initial MLB Home Run Derby appearance.
OF: Cody Bellinger, Los Angeles Dodgers +800
While Judge has dominated the rookie spotlight, Bellinger has produced an excellent debut season in his own right with some excellent numbers for the Dodgers. Bellinger has hit .261 with 25 home runs, 58 RBI and 50 runs scored in 257 plate appearances so far this season. Bellinger will look to steal the spotlight from Stanton and Judge at this year’s MLB Home Run Derby. He is definitely a capable contender.
3B: Miguel Sano, Minnesota Twins +1000
Sano might not be the fan favorite to win the MLB Home Run Derby but he could be a decent dark horse pick. Sano has hit .276 with 21 home runs and 62 RBI so far this season. The veteran slugger packs substantial power and might be worth taking a chance on if you think that Stanton and Judge might falter.
3B: Mike Moustakas, Kansas City Royals +1500
Gary Sanchez of the New York Yankees, Justin Bour of the Miami Marlins and Charlie Blackmon of the Colorado Rockies will all compete in the 2017 MLB Home Run Derby. However, each of those hitters is listed behind Moustakas in terms of the sports betting odds to win the event. Moustakas has the most home runs of this group with 25 on the year, along with 54 RBI. At +1400 odds to win the event, it might be worth it to take a shot on Moustakas to surprise with a small wager.
Odds To Win 2017 Home Run Derby
Aaron Judge +168
Charlie Blackmon +1500
Cody Bellinger +800
Gary Sanchez +1500
Giancarlo Stanton +165
Justin Bour +1500
Miguel Sano +1000
Mike Moustakas +1500
The MLB season is in full swing, so if you’re looking at betting lines, in-game betting and World Series futures, click here to bet on MLB (or any other sports) at BetDSI!
