The field is now set for the 2023 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby, the precursor to this year's All Star Game. Both take place in Seattle next week, with the Derby on Monday (ESPN) and the game itself on Tuesday (Fox).
Juan Soto (San Diego) will not defend his crown, but that does not mean the Mets' Pete Alonso has a chance to 3-peat after Seattle's Julio Rodriguez denied him in the semi-finals last year.
The pairings:
1. Luis Robert, Jr. (Chicago White Sox) vs. 8. Adley Rutschman (Baltimore).
2. Alonso (Mets) vs. 7. Rodriguez (Seattle).
3. Mookie Betts (Los Angeles Dodgers) vs. 6. Vladimir Guerrero, Jr. (Toronto).
4. Adolis Garcia (Texas) vs. 5. Randy Arozarena (Tampa Bay).
It seems a little strange that the field is very slanted in favor of the AL, and not just because Seattle is the host team. In addition to Soto, a fair number of NL sluggers, including Betts' Dodger teammates, Freddie Freeman & JD Martinez, Philadelphia's Kyle Schwarber, who got a total el snubbino, Atlanta's Ronald Acuna, Jr. & Austin Riley, and St. Louis' Paul Goldschmidt & Nolan Arenado, opted not to take part. For the NL to keep the trophy, they need Alonso and/or Betts in the finals.
We'll all find out Monday.
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