The Atlanta Braves have overcome crucial injuries in 2024 to become the leaders in the National League Wild Card race entering Thursday, thanks in part to their 33-year-old slugger.
Atlanta’s Marcell Ozuna has blasted 24 home runs this year, which has earned him a spot in Monday’s Home Run Derby at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas.
Joining Ozuna in the Derby will be Pete Alonso of the New York Mets, Adolis García of the Texas Rangers, Gunnar Henderson of the Baltimore Orioles, Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals, Teoscar Hernández of the Los Angeles Dodgers, José Ramírez of the Cleveland Guardians, and Alec Bohm of the Philadelphia Phillies.
Ozuna has never competed in a Derby, which makes it all the more surprising that oddsmakers have estimated that he is among the three contestants most likely to win.
Sportsbooks nationwide favor Alonso to win the Derby at +300 odds, but Ozuna is third in line behind Alonso at +425 odds, just behind García at +350.
Ozuna’s 24 homers this year are second only to Henderson’s 27 among Derby contestants. Ozuna also has 75 RBIs entering Thursday, good for third in all of Major League Baseball.
Whenever Ozuna has entered the zone this season, there’s been nothing opposing pitchers can do. If the two-time Silver Slugger Award winner happens to heat up on Monday night, he’ll likely be a formidable force in the Derby.
Ozuna is playing in his third All-Star game on Tuesday. He was the NL RBI leader and NL home run leader in 2020.
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