The first half of the season has come to a close.
That means it’s time for the All-Star festivities to begin.
We kick everything off tonight with the T-Mobile Home Run Derby.
We’ve got some really intriguing matchups in the first round of the Derby.
But one man in particular has a chance to defend his crown.
New York Mets slugger Pete Alonso has won the last two Home Run Derbies and will have a chance to three-peat.
ESPN Stats & Info tweeted a photo of Alonso hoisting the trophy at last year’s Derby and mentioned in the caption that if Alonso wins again, he’ll be the first player to ever three-peat as the Home Run Derby champion.
Tonight, Pete Alonso will look to defend his Home Run Derby title after winning in 2021 and 2019.
No player has ever won three consecutive Home Run Derby titles.
The 1st round kicks off at 8 ET on ESPN. pic.twitter.com/BO9Iw358QN
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) July 18, 2022
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With the current format, the Derby starts with eight contestants and four matchups.
Alonso is the No. 2 seed out of the eight contestants.
He’ll go up against Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves.
It would be quite something to see him win it again.
Keep in mind that there were no All-Star festivities in 2020 due to COVID-19, which is why Alonso is the two-time defending champion after first winning in 2019.
He’ll have a tough customer on his hands with Acuna and whoever else he goes up against, assuming he makes it out of the first round.
One would think his chances are pretty good to go deep again this year.
But Kyle Schwarber, who has been on a tear lately, might have something to say about that.
And you can never bet against Albert Pujols.
But this Derby is going to be a lot of fun and we’ll see who ultimately comes out on top.
Will Alonso win again, or is it someone else’s turn?
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