After the Celebrity Softball Game, the Future’s Game and the MLB Draft, the Home Run Derby is next for the All-Star Break festivities. After a year off from the event because of COVID-19, the Derby will be back in a big way for 2021. Especially because it will be held at Coors Field in Denver, CO. The expansive park, thin air and eight absolute home run machines will make it a very exciting night at Coors.
A historically hitter friendly park will be even more so for the Home Run Derby. The Colorado Rockies have been using a humidor since 2002 to limit how far the ball can travel in the Mile High City. Well there will be none of that at this Home Run Derby. These balls are going to fly. You’re guaranteed to see some history tonight.
What TV Channel is the 2021 Home Run Derby on?
The All-Star festivities really start to heat up as Shohei Ohtani will lead a strong field for the 2021 Home Run Derby. Catch it all on ESPN at 8:00 p.m. ET. You can live stream MLB games on fuboTV.
How to Watch the 2021 Home Run Derby
When: Monday, July 12
‌Where: Coors Field – Denver, CO
‌Time: 8:00 p.m. ET‌
‌TV: ESPN
‌Live Stream: fuboTV (watch MLB free with fuboTV)
There are going to be 500+ homers and probably a record amount of dingers hit but that’s not even the biggest draw of this Home Run Derby. A pitcher is the odds on favorite to win the whole thing. First of all, there’s never been a pitcher in the derby. Second, there has never been a player to make the All-Star Game as a pitcher and position player. Babe Ruth didn’t even do that. Besides, Ruth hit a couple homers as a pitcher for the Red Sox but he only became one of the best hitters ever when he was traded to the Yankees.
The Home Run Derby favorite, Shohei Ohtani is doing both immaculately well at the same time. He is leading the league with 33 homers before the break and 3.49 ERA. Ohtani already has the most homers for a Japanese born player and the season is only half way done. Hideki Matsui held that record at 31 and he was considered a power hitter when he played for the Yankees so much so his nickname was Godzilla. Ohtani makes history seemingly every time he comes to the ballpark. He hit one in the last series before the break in the upper deck in Seattle, a park that historically favors pitchers. Imagine what he can do at Coors Field.
We will likely never see this again. The last time the All-Star Game was in Denver was in 1998 and Ken Griffey Jr. won the derby. He reportedly didn’t even want to participate but changed his mind when the Coors Field crowd booed him into it. He was at the height of his powers and won the whole thing anyways. There were 15 future Hall of Famers in that All-Star Game and that’s not including Barry Bonds, Rafael Palmeiro, Alex Rodriguez and Mark McGwire because of steroids.
While that might be one of the best All-Star Game lineups of all time, the 2021 lineup will be special all on it’s own. Not to mention the Derby lineup. Joey Gallo of the Texas Rangers has the closest odds to give Ohtani a run for his money. While maybe you can criticize the rest of his swing, this guy knows how to hit dingers. The most he’s hit in a season is 41 and he is on pace to break that this year already hitting 24 by the break. Trevor Story will be the hometown hero and while he got off to a slower start than usual it will help that he plays 82 games a year in Denver. Who do you have winning it all for the 2021 Home Run Derby?
Home Run Derby odds
- Shohei Ohtani: +300
- Joey Gallo: +450
- Pete Alonso: +500
- Matt Olson: +600
- Salvador Perez: +800
- Juan Soto: +800
- Trevor Story: +900
- Trey Mancini: +1200
