The T-Mobile Home Run Derby will take place on Monday, July 18 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
For the fifth and final time of his career, St. Louis Cardinals slugger Albert Pujols will take part in the Derby.
But this time, he’s taking on the rare role of underdog in the Derby.
With the new format, the eight contestants break into matchups based on seeding.
Pujols will be the eighth seed and draw Kyle Schwarber of the Philadelphia Phillies, who will be the top seed, as Scott Lauber of the Philadelphia Inquirer reported on Twitter.
Kyle Schwarber is the top seed in the Home Run Derby on Monday night at Dodger Stadium, MLB announced tonight. He will draw Albert Pujols in the first round. #Phillies
— Scott Lauber (@ScottLauber) July 15, 2022
Pujols The Underdog
It’s an unfamiliar position for Pujols.
Every time he’s been in the Derby, he’s been the favorite.
But at 42 years old, things are a little bit different.
That doesn’t mean he’ll change his approach though.
He’s still the same Albert Pujols he’s always been, and he’ll prepare the same way he always does.
He’ll always be that imposing presence.
So while he won’t be the favorite, he’ll still come ready to hit some bombs and take a shot at finally winning the Home Run Derby.
He’ll have to unseat two-time defending champion Pete Alonso, but for a guy like Pujols, that shouldn’t be too hard.
It is kind of weird though to see him in the position of an underdog.
That won’t matter to him though.
All he needs to do is get into a rhythm and hit some bombs.
That’s what The Machine does and that’s what he’s been doing for 22 seasons.
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