The 2023 MLB Home Run Derby takes place on Monday night.
With not much going on across the sports landscape, all eyes will be on the derby in Seattle to see who can be the home run champ.
Since the legalization of sports betting, the derby has become a popular event to bet on. Last year, more bets were placed on the Home Run Derby than the All-Star Game. This year is expected to be no different.
Eight of the league's best home run hitters will compete in a bracket-style format to see who can be the Dinger King.
The most popular bet to take home the crown is Vladimir Guerrero Jr. The Toronto Blue Jay is +350 to win it all after opening at +400 on BetMGM. He is getting 17.5% of the bets and 17% of the handle.
The biggest liability for BetMGM, however, is Mookie Betts. He is one of the biggest underdogs at +1200 after opening at +650. The Los Angeles Dodger is getting 13.4% of the tickets and accounts for 12.1% of the handle.
Adley Rutschman is a budding superstar for the Baltimore Orioles and has a chance to put himself on the national map tonight.
Rutschman is the second biggest liability at BetMGM and is the biggest underdog at the Home Run Derby (+2000). The catcher is getting 12.6% of the bets and accounts for 12.1% of the handle.
The Seattle crowd will be behind their young superstar Julio Rodriguez. The outfielder has +500 odds to win and is getting 15.3% of the bets and accounts for 19.2% of the money at BetMGM.
Randy Arozarena (+1000), Luis Robert (+450) and Adolis Garcia (+650) are entering the event under the radar. All three are getting below 10% of the public bets and less than 10% of the handle.
The night's sharp play is the odds-on favorite to win the Home Run Derby. Pete Alonso is +300 to take the crown and is getting 15.4% of the bets and 21.4% of the handle.
It appears that even the sharps believe the oddsmakers have this one right.
