Monday night brings the 2015 Home Run Derby (unless rain washes it away, which it might), which will be broadcast on ESPN, beginning at 8:00 ET. There have been significant changes to the rules for the Derby this year. Rather than each batter getting a certain number of outs (an out being any swing that does not result in a home run), players will now be timed:
Player get 5 minutes per round. The clock will stop if a player hits a home run during the final minute, allowing them to compose themselves a bit. Each player also gets one 45-second timeout per round. If a player hits two home runs that travel 420+ feet apiece, they will receive an extra minute on the clock. Player can also receive an additional 30 seconds for any home run that travels 475+ feet.
Additionally, players have been put into a single-elimination bracket. If the two players in a match are tied after each has their turn, there will be a 90-second tiebreaker, during which the clock will not stop, and no bonus time can be gained.
With this new system, the pitcher takes on a somewhat elevated importance, because batters won't want to be taking many pitches.
Here is the bracket (players were seeded based on their HR total as of July 7):
- 1. Albert Pujols (Angles) vs. 8. Kris Bryant (Cubs)
- 4. Joc Pederson (Dodgers) vs. 5. Manny Machado (Orioles)
- 2. Todd Frazier (Reds) vs. 7. Prince Fielder (Rangers)
- 3. Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays) vs. 8. Anthony Rizzo (Cubs)
The winners of the first two matches listed above will face one another in one semifinal, as will the winners of the last two matches. Semifinal winners then compete for the crown.
If you want the chance to win a free Let's Go Tribe t-shirt, drop into the comments and pick who will win each of the seven matches (4 in the first round, 2 semifinals, and the final), if someone gets all seven correct, the t-shirt is theirs. In the unlikely event that more than one person picks a perfect bracket, the tiebreaker will be number of home runs hit by the winner in the final round, so be sure to include that in your prediction. (Predictions will be accepted until 8:00 ET.)
Good luck!