"Vladimir Guerrero Jr. makes history with home run derby win"
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. won the 2023 Home Run Derby at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, becoming the first father-son duo to win the popular contest.
Guerrero Jr. enters this year's Home Run Derby as the second favorite on DraftKings betting boards at +370. Two-time champion Pete Alonso of the New York Mets is the consensus favorite at +320 odds.
When my family pushes me to do something, good things usually happen,” said Guerrero Jr., who last played in the Derby in 2019.
Guerrero Jr. hit an impressive 91 home runs in the 2019 Home Run Derby. But he lost to Alonso in the last round.
Vladimir Guerrero wins the 2007 Home Run Derby during the MLB All-Star Celebrations at AT&T Park in San Francisco. The elder Guerrero played right field for the Anaheim Angels during the 2007 season.
In a 16-season career that spanned four teams, Guerrero hit 449 home runs and drove in 1,496 RBIs with a .318/.379/.553 slash line. In 2018, Guerrero was inducted into the Cooperstown Baseball Hall of Fame.
Round 1: J-Rod sets record with Onslaught
Baltimore Orioles catcher Adleyrutschman was the eighth overall pick, but the switch-hitter showed off his prowess by hitting 27 home runs on both sides of the plate. Chicago White Sox center fielder Luis Robert Jr. hit 28 home runs to live up to the No. 1 ranking and advance to the semifinals.
Alonso wants revenge on Seattle Mariners outfielder Julio Rodriguez for knocking him out of the Derby last year. As the second seed, Alonso was never able to find his rhythm and hit only 21 home runs. Rodriguez was the No. 7 seed, but the dynamic 22-year-old energized his hometown crowd with a stunning performance. Rodriguez hit 41 home runs in the first round, setting a new Derby record. Rodriguez defeated two-time champion Alonso for the second time in a row.
"Unfortunately I came across a circular saw," Alonso said.“He had a ridiculous, historic round. It was unbelievable.”
Mookie Betts of the Los Angeles Dodgers was the No. 3 seed, but he was the only lower-seeded player to reach the first round as an underdog. Betts has a +170 chance to win against #6 Guerrero Jr., who is the -205 favorite. In the first round, Betts hit only 11 home runs. Guerrero Jr. easily advanced to the next round with 26 home runs.
A battle between two close friends and fellow Cubans pits No. 5 Randy Arozarena of the Tampa Bay Rays against No. 4 Adolys Garcia of the Texas Rangers. Garcia was the favorite to win this round, but only hit 17 home runs. Arozarena hit 24 home runs after a slow start to advance to the next round.
Semifinals: Arozarena eliminated, J-Rod poisoned
Heading into the semifinals, Rodriguez is the new favorite to win the Home Run Derby, with odds of +100 and even a bonus. He's ahead of Roberts (+280), Guerrero Jr. (+290) and Arozarena (+600).
Rodriguez knew he needed to put in a big performance in the first round if he wanted to beat Alonso, so he went all out in the first round and attacked with 41 beers. He looked a little tired in the second round, hitting only 20 home runs. Guerrero only needed 21 home runs to advance to the finals and eliminate the young Dominican.
I want to live in the moment,"Rodriguez said."Somehow I was able to put on a show and do the best I could for Mariners fans. The second lap I was just... out of breath... but it was fun. Fun. "
Rodriguez finished second last year in the 2022 Home Run Derby finals at Dodger Stadium, losing to Juan Soto.
On the other side, Arozarena defeated Robert to reach the final. Robert hit 22 home runs in the semifinals, which wasn't even as good as Arozarena's bombing in the second round. Arozarena was on fire, hitting 35 home runs in the semifinals. It was the second-most home runs in the game this year, and Arozarena earned a spot in the final against Guerrero.
HR Derby Final: Guerrero defeats Arozarena
The final matchup features a betting favorite and an outsider. Guerrero Jr. enters the Derby as the second favorite at +370 odds, while Arozarena is the second-highest underdog on the board at +1100 odds. Entering the semifinals, Arozarena is once again at a disadvantage in the semifinals with odds of +600.
Guerrero finished the Derby that year with 72 home runs, assisted by his agent, John Schneider, as a pitcher. His home run total for the game was 44.5 over/under, with Guerrero hitting the high ball with ease.
Arozarena hit a total of 82 home runs but failed to beat Guerrero in the final round. Oddsmakers give Arozarena an overall odds of 28.5 over/under, which is easy to hit.
"I feel tired," Guerrero Jr. explained after the final lap. "But I feel happy." Guerrero watched his father win at the San Francisco Ballpark in 2007, but he was only eight years old at the time.
I don’t remember much about 2007,” Guerrero Jr. said. “My dad and I both won the Derby and I was so happy and proud. "
According to DraftKings' proprietary betting, Guerrero Jr. is paying odds of +1100 to beat Arozarena in the final. If Arozarena defeats Guerrero Jr., the odds on this prop bet will be +4000.
Read also:
- Games Industry Research: Carbon Emissions of Top Video Games
- U.S. cities with the most Swifties per capita
- Blackjack Casino Advantage: How to Beat the Odds
- Football 101: What is relegation in football?
Source: www.casino.org
