Pirates slugger Oneil Cruz opens as favorite to win Home Run Derby

Pittsburgh Pirates center fielder Oneil Cruz opened as favorite to win the All-Star Home Run Derby on Monday night in Atlanta.

As of Friday afternoon, Cruz was the plus-330 first choice to win the annual contest at DraftKings Sportsbook. Seattle’s Cal Raleigh was second at plus-360, and hometown favorite Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Braves was third at plus-450 before pulling out of the event with a back injury and being replaced by teammate Matt Olson.

Raleigh, the stocky Mariners catcher, leads MLB with 36 home runs this season, which makes Cruz’s total of 16 pale in comparison. Cruz, however, launched the hardest-hit home run in MLB this season, a 122.9 mph blast May 25 against Milwaukee.

Washington outfielder James Wood was fourth at plus-600, Minnesota outfielder Bryon Buxton was next at plus-850 and Yankees infielder Jazz Chisholm Jr. was sixth at plus-900. Athletics outfielder Brent Rook was at plus-1000, and Tampa Bay infielder Junior Caminero was the longshot at plus-1100.

The odds are based on a $100 bet (i.e. a $10 bet on Cruz would yield $33 in winnings).

Cruz’s status as favorite is not unanimous. Several sportsbooks opened with Raleigh with the top odds and Cruz close behind.

Meanwhile, Pirates ace Paul Skenes was a plus-4500 shot to win All-Star Game MVP honors at DraftKings. Dodgers slugger Shohei Ohtani was the favorite at plus-550, followed by Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge (plus-600) and Cubs breakout star Pete Crow-Armstrong (plus-900).