2012 MLB Home Run Derby Odds & Live Online Preview

This coming Monday, July 9, the 2012 State Farm Home Run Derby will take place at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. The Derby will air beginning at 8:00 pm Eastern Standard Time and can be watched at home on ESPN TV or live streaming online.  Among those competing are some of baseball’s top sluggers, including Matt Kemp, Robinson Cano, Carlos Beltran, Prince Fielder, and Jose Bautista!The 2012 State Farm Home Run Derby is shown live on television by ESPN.  It will also be live streaming online for fans via the WatchESPN/ESPN3 broadband sports network.  Keep in mind, this service is available in select regions of the country, based on whether or not your internet provider has made the service available.  For those that have it, you can watch free online coverage of this annual baseball All-star event!

For those unfamiliar with the Derby, it is a yearly contest between the top home run hitters in Major League Baseball to determine who can hit the most home runs. It consists of four American League and four National League players who compete in three rounds. The top 4 home run hitters advance to round two and the top two hitters are left to fight it out in the final round.

Before we look at the two different teams from the AL and NL respectively, let’s check out who might win the contest.

UPDATE: Giancarlo Stanton will not compete due to injury.  Stanton is replaced by Pittsburgh Pirates star Andrew McCutchen.

Here’s a look at the latest odds to win the 2012 State Farm Home Run Derby:

Odds to win the 2012 State Farm Home Run Derby (MON 7/9)

7001 Carlos Beltran +450
7002 Carlos Gonzalez +600
7003 Andrew McCutchen +800
7004 Jose Bautista +300
7005 Mark Trumbo +450
7006 Matt Kemp +600
7007 Prince Fielder +400
7008 Robinson Cano +350

NATIONAL LEAGUE TEAM

This year, the National League Captain is Matt Kemp. He will be joined by fellow National League players Giancarlo Stanton, Carlos Gonzalez, and Carlos Beltran.

This is Kemp’s second Home Run Derby; last year he finished last with only two home runs. Unfortunately his prospects this year don’t seem much better, as he has been injured for the past two months and has only hit 12 home runs total in the 2012 season.

Carlos Beltran, on the other hand, is the front runner from the National League. This Saint Louis Cardinal has hit 20 home runs so far this year and demonstrated great power and control in his at bats. With 19 runs and 17 runs respectively, Giancarlo Stanton and Carlos Gonzalez also have a solid chance of advancing to the second group.

AMERICAN LEAGUE TEAM

The American League Captain is Robinson Cano who will be joined by Jose Bautista, Mark Trumbo, and Prince Fielder.  Cano is last year’s Derby champion and has hit 20 home runs so far this year, making him a real threat. His experience and drive are certain to be assets to him as he competes. He is one of the favorites to win.

Jose Bautista has his 26 home runs so far this year, six more than anyone else competing, and for that reason is also a favorite to take home the title. His dedication and determination are impressive.

Trumbo has hit 20 home runs this season, making him a solid contender. Fielder has hit only 12, making him unlikely to advance from the first round at his second Home Run Derby. However, his experience may be an asset to him as he did finish third in the Derby last year.

Remember, the MLB Home Run derby is shown starting at 8PM EST on Monday, July 9th, via ESPN for televised coverage, and ESPN3 for live streaming coverage!

HR Derby odds from SportsBook.com