For those who dig the long ball, tonight is the night for you.
The 2012 Major League Baseball Home Run Derby takes place at 8 p.m. tonight on ESPN and the American League, led by Tigers first baseman Prince Fielder and Yankees second baseman Robinson Cano, will look to win the league title for the third straight year from Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Mo.
Cano is the defending Home Run Derby champion, edging Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez last season in Phoenix. He’ll look to repeat and leads a field of eight competitors, four from the American League and four from the National League.
Fielder, who is second on the Tigers with 15 home runs, will compete for the second straight year. Joining him on the AL squad is Blue Jays right fielder Jose Bautista, who is tied for the AL lead with 27 dingers, and Angels slugger Mark Trumbo (22 home runs).
On the National League side, four outfielders will lead the way, as Pittsburgh’s Andrew McCutchen, Los Angeles’ Matt Kemp, St. Louis’ Carlos Beltran and Colorado’s Carlos Gonzalez will look to end the AL’s winning streak.
Who’s the favorite? It’s tough to say in competitions like this. So many things change from regular gameplay, but I’m going to go with Trumbo to win it in his first derby.
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