2011 MLB All-Star Game - HR Derby

Tonight one man will be crowned baseball's HR king. Eight of the game's most powerful hitters will face off in the 2011 HR Derby. This year MLB tried to spice up the competition a little by having team captains select the participants. The AL captain is 2010 HR Derby champ David Ortiz. To represent the American League, Big Papi selected first year teammate, Adrian Gonzalez, Toronto's Jose Bautista, and the rival Yankees 2B Robinson Cano. For the National League, the 2009 HR Derby champ, Prince Fielder picked the squad. Joining him is teammate Rickie Weeks, the Dodgers' Matt Kemp, and Matt Holliday of the Cardinals. All of these men are capable of producing large numbers. Here is a look at the field and how I think things will shake up.

Jose Bautista (2 to 1)
- 1st Appearance
- 31 HR

Prince Fielder (3 to 1)
- 3rd Appearance
- 2009 Champion
- 22 HR

David Ortiz (3.5 to 1)
- 5th Appearance
- 2010 Champion
- 19 HR

Adrian Gonzalez (4 to 1)
- 2nd Appearance
- 17 HR

Matt Holliday (5 to 1)
- 2nd Appearance
- 14 HR

Matt Kemp (7 to 1)
- 1st Appearance
- 22 HR

Robinson Cano (8 to 1)
- 1st Appearance
- 15 HR

Ricky Weeks (10 to 1)
- 1st Appearance
- 17 HR

And the winner is - Adrian Gonzalez. You never want to go with the favorite in these types on events. Before looking at the lines, I thought that Jose Bautista could be a good bet. After all, the man has been hitting the cover off the ball over the last 2 seasons. Once he became the oddsmakers favorite, I knew I had to go in another direction. Gonzalez has a few things working in his favor. He is a lefty, he has participated in the HR Derby before, and he has plenty of experience playing at Arizona's Chase Field from his days playing in San Diego. At 4 to 1 odds, I think the best bet is Boston's Adrian Gonzalez.