Baseball's hard hitters will take center stage at 8 p.m. EST Monday night, as the best of the American League slugs it out against the power of the National League in what will be a high-octane edition of the 2013 Home Run Derby at Citi Field in New York.
Robinson Cano, the 2011 Home Run Derby champion, has been picked as the captain of the American League batters. Fortunately for him, he didn't have a hard time selecting his teammates; clues of his preferred teammates have been apparent all season long.
Chris Davis, the man who is gunning to break the single-season homerun record, is arguably the biggest weapon for the American League this year. Davis has already blasted 37 homers halfway into the season, and batted .315 at the plate. Backing him up is Cuban slugger Yoenis Céspedes, who has 15 homers in his second full season with the Oakland Athletics. Finally, the fourth batter for the American League will be none other than two-time Home Run Derby champ Prince Fielder. The Detroit Tigers slugger recorded just 16 homers so far this season, but he is a proven clutch performer at the Home Run Derby.
Meanwhile, the National League also boasts a potent roster of heavy batters. The group is led by Mets star David Wright, who will have all kinds of support from the home crowd tonight. Two-time All-Star Michael Cuddyer will look for a win for the Colorado Rockies, while Pedro Alvarez is out to prove he deserves the spot previously occupied by Carlos Gonzalez. Of course, all eyes will be on Washington Nationals young gun Bryce Harper in the first home run derby of his career.
TV Coverage of the 2013 Home Run Derby will start at 7:00 p.m. EST with the Derby proper set to begin at 8:00 p.m. EST on ESPN and ESPN Deportes.
Online streaming of the 2013 Home Run Derby is available on WatchESPN at 8 p.m. while ESPN Radio will also cover the event around 7:30 p.m.
Player, Team and Home Runs
American League
Robinson Cano, New York Yankees: 21
Yoenis Cespedes, Oakland Athletics: 15
Chris Davis, Baltimore Orioles: 37
Prince Fielder, Detroit Tigers 16
National League
Pedro Alvarez, Pittsburgh Pirates: 24
Michael Cuddyer, Colorado Rockies: 16
Bryce Harper, Washington Nationals: 13
David Wright, New York Mets: 13