Betting Guide: 2025 MLB Home Run Derby Tips
One of the most unique events on the annual sports betting calendar is Major League Baseball’s Home Run Derby, which is held on the Monday before the Tuesday MLB All-Star Game. This year’s Home Run Derby will be held at Truist Park in Cumberland, Georgia, home of the Atlanta Braves. Last year at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas, home of the Texas Rangers, Teoscar Hernandez was the winner with Bobby Witt Jr. as the runner-up. Four players from the American League and four more from the National League will compete. Participants for the 2025 Home Run Derby are Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, James Woods of the Washington Nationals, Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins, Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates, Junior Caminero of the Tampa Bay Rays, Brent Rooker of the Athletics, and Jazz Chisholm Jr. of the New York Yankees.
2025 MLB Home Run Derby Preview
The 2025 Home Run Derby will be held at Truist Park in Cumberland, Georgia. The event will take place on Monday, July 14, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET, with television coverage on ESPN.
The Atlanta metro area is both excited and somewhat resentful about hosting the 2025 Home Run Derby and All-Star Game. Four years ago, Major League Baseball pulled the rug out from under Atlanta by moving the All-Star Game due to a controversial voter integrity law that has actually served to increase participation, despite critics claiming the law would suppress the vote. By returning four years later, Major League Baseball is quietly admitting it was wrong and stupid to inject itself into politics.
Since 2024, the Home Run Derby, the event, has consisted of three rounds. The Top four competitors advance to the second round, which is a bracket-style event. Second-round seedings are based on their performances in the first round. The winners of the second round matchups advance to the finals.
2025 MLB Home Run Derby Predictions
Hometown hero Ronald Acuna, Jr., brings the element of motivation to the Home Run Derby. Monday night will be his third try at winning the Home Run Derby after being ousted by Pete Alonso in his two previous attempts. Numerous contenders indeed turned down invitations, which opens the door for Acuna to win in front of Atlanta fans. Beyond all of that, Acuna can win the event. Acuna stands a great chance to become the fourth player in history to win the Home Run Derby in his home ballpark.
2025 Home Run Derby Prime Best Bet: Ronald Acuna, Jr.
2025 MLB Home Run Derby Betting Tips
2025 Home Run Derby Prime Odds: Oneil Cruz +330, Cal Raleigh +370, Ronald Acuna Jr. +420, James Wood +500, Byron Buxton +850, Jazz Chisholm +1000, Junior Caminero +1000, Brent Rooker +1200
Live betting is extremely popular for the Home Run Derby. Gamblers can often find more favorable odds with the in-game betting option. Prices will fluctuate much quicker than the pace of a regular baseball game. Because most of the marquee players declined invitations to participate, the casual sector may not be familiar with all the players participating. Acuna is the biggest name in the field.
2025 MLB Home Run Derby Head to Head and Key Stats
Oneil Cruz of the Pittsburgh Pirates is known for having the hardest swing in baseball. So far this season, Cruz has 16 home runs but is hitting only .204 with a .724 OPS.
Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners is an excellent choice for gamblers based on his phenomenal first half of the 2025 campaign. Raleigh has 36 home runs, making himself a legitimate threat for the all-time single-season home run record. Barry Bonds holds the record with 73 home runs in 2001. Raleigh is hitting .262 with a 1.008 OPS.
Atlanta’s Ronald Acuna has 11 home runs while playing in only 42 games because of being sidelined on the injury list at the start of the year. Acuna is hitting .324 with a 1.022 OPS.
James Wood plays for the lowly Washington Nationals, but don’t let that fool you. Woods is a legitimate 2025 National League All-Star and is becoming a marquee man for a franchise that desperately needs it. So far in 2025, Woods has 24 home runs, a .284 average, and a .933 OPS.