Home Run Derby 2013: National League Looks to Take Down American League Power Force

By Justin Sarachik, Christian Post Reporter Monday, July 15, 2013

America's favorite pastime is taking a break, and for the next couple of night's the MLB will showcase the league's top talents in the All-Star game and tonight's Home Run Derby.

Taking place at the home of the New York Mets, Citi Field, the Derby will be broken into two teams, the National League, led by Mets third basemen and captain, David Wright, and the American League, led by New York Yankees second basemen, Robinson Cano.

The rest of the National League team is third basemen Pedro Alvarez of the Pittsburgh Pirates, outfielder Michael Cuddyer of the Colorado Rockies, and outfielder Bryce Harper of the Washington Nationals.

Rounding out the American League team is two time winner, Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers, first basemen Chris Davis of the Baltimore Orioles, and outfielder Yoenis Cespedes of the Oakland Athletics.

The AL outnumbers the NL in regular season games 87 home runs to 65 home runs, and many favor the AL's powerhouse hitters Davis and Fielder as forerunners to win. Fielder won last year and in 2009 while on the Milwaukee Brewers, making him the only player to win in both leagues. Only Ken Griffey JR. has won the competition three times.

Cano won the competition in 2011, and Cespedes is a pure power hitter while Davis leads the majors with 37 home runs.

The NL contains a bunch of inexperience and question marks. Wright is the only player on the team who has done the Derby before, back in 2006 where he was runner up to Philadelphia Phillies first basemen Ryan Howard.

Most people are feeling Harper will have a big performance tonight. He only has 13 home runs, but he missed around a month due to injury and he is known for hitting mammoth home runs.

Cuddyer is an interesting pick because he is not known for hitting home runs but currently has 15.

Alvarez leads the NL in home runs with 24 home runs and almost did not make the derby due to Wright not selected him. Wright then picked the Pittsburgh third basemen after Colorado Rockies outfielder Carlos Gonzalez opted out due to injury.

The Derby can be heard on ESPN Radio or watched live at 8 p.m. ET on FOX.