The Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders on ESPN is set for 8 P.M. EDT tonight in accordance with the All-Star festivities. The Cincinnati Reds are hosting 2015’s edition of the Derby and All-Star Game at their fantastic Great American Ball Park. As of right now, the weather does not look so promising. Some people have taken to Twitter to express their disappointment if the home run hitting contest were to be cancelled due to inclement weather. But with that aside, this should be a very interesting Home Run Derby with some familiar faces and young, emerging brand new ones.

The Home Run Derby has welcomed some rule changes this year, most notably the seeding and head-to-head matchups between the eight contestants. In addition, the MLB has done away with the 10-outs per batter system and has implemented an interesting five-minute rule. According to MLB.com, “Instead of a set number of “outs” per round, each player this year will have five minutes to hit as many home runs as possible. A running clock will begin counting down upon release of the first pitch, though it will stop for any home run hit during the final minute. The clock will stop immediately after those home run balls land and will not begin again until a non-home run ball lands or the batter swings and misses.” I like this rule a lot because past Home Run Derbies were longer than expected and there will be less room for ties. It is a good test to see if hitters can stay composed and crush the long ball.

The matchups:

• (1) Albert Pujols, LAA 1B vs. (8) Kris Bryant, CHC 3B
• (2) Todd Frazier, CIN 3B vs. (7) Prince Fielder, TEX 1B/DH
• (3) Josh Donaldson, TOR 3B vs. (6) Anthony Rizzo, CHC 1B
• (4) Joc Pederson, LAD OF vs. (5) Manny Machado, BAL 3B

**Winner of #1 vs. #8 faces Winner of #4 vs. #5**
**Winner of #3 vs. #6 faces Winner of #2 vs. #7**
**Winners from second round advance to the final championship round**

This should be a very good, entertaining contest, in my opinion. Pujols, Donaldson, Fielder and Frazier are returning for another chance at being crowned as the Home Run King. Repeating champion Yoenis Cespedes is not in this year’s tournament, which leaves the contest open to the best power hitter. I was disappointed when Nationals outfielder Bryce Harper and Angels outfielder Mike Trout declined to participate in the Derby. Hopefully, down the road these two square off in a Home Run Derby Final.

Pujols (26 HR) vs. Bryant (12 HR) – Do not let Bryant’s home run totals fool anyone, he is very well poised to give Pujols a run for his money. Bryant hit 40+ HR’s in AAA last season, so he just needs time to adjust to professional pitching. Pujols has the upside in this matchup because he is the experienced veteran and has participated in previous All-Star events. Bryant has an edge in this matchup with his youth; this will come in handy since the rounds are timed.

Prediction: Pujols over Bryant
Reason: Experience of Pujols, and nerves of Bryant

Frazier (25 HR) vs. Fielder (13 HR) – Another potential upset as the likely Comeback Player of the Year and 3-time Home Run Derby Champion Fielder returns to the contest. Fielder’s home run numbers are down, but this is not a live pitching contest, it is glorified batting practice. Frazier is the face of the Cincinnati Reds in this All-Star game. The city will look to him to bring some recognition and respect to the ball club. Frazier knows his home ballpark well as he has clubbed 15 home runs there this season. On the other hand, the right outfield fence is very friendly to left handed pull hitters, and Fielder is still somewhat familiar with this park from his days as a Milwaukee Brewer. Note that Frazier was runner up in the 2014 Home Run Derby.

Prediction: UPSET, Fielder over Frazier
Reason: Fielder being a multi-HR Derby champion, the short right field fence in favor of lefty hitters and Frazier failing to live up to the Cincinnati hype

Donaldson (21 HR) vs. Rizzo (16 HR) – When Rizzo was entered into the Derby this year, it came as a surprise to me. I characterize Rizzo has a good all around hitter, not strictly a power hitter. The good thing for Rizzo is that he is a 40% pull hitter in The Great American Ballpark. Donaldson hits towering moonshots out in Toronto. His numbers have ascended since his trade from Oakland, but the Rogers Centre is an easier field to crush baseballs in.

Prediction: Donaldson over Rizzo
Reason: Donaldson being more of a home run hitter than Rizzo

Pederson (20 HR) vs. Machado (19 HR) – Let me be honest, Pederson and his swing were made for this competition just like Harper’s. Pederson destroys baseballs when he sends them out of the park (MLB-leading 430.5 ft. per HR distance). He is also another lefty pull hitter in Cincy. Machado is starting to grow into his body now. Lots of his doubles from a season ago are starting to become home runs since returning from injury.

Prediction: Pederson over Machado
Reason: Pederson’s home run swing and the Reds’ right field fence

Round 2: Pujols vs. Pederson, Donaldson vs. Fielder

Predictions: UPSET, Pederson over Pujols. UPSET, Fielder over Donaldson
Reason: For the exact same reason as I have stated before, Cincinnati’s right field fence is too friendly to left handed hitters (ask Brewers’ outfielder Gerrado Parra in his last visit there).

FINAL: #4 Pederson vs. #7 Fielder

This is a solid matchup and will make an interesting finale. Now that both hitters have the advantage of the right field fence, fans will see a good clash at who will claim the HR title. Pederson is more of a pull hitter than Fielder is, but this will not be the deciding factor in the final.

Prediction: Pederson over Fielder

Reason: It has nothing to do with Pederson’s swing, higher home run totals or the MLB-leading distance stat. Pederson will be the 2015 Home Run Derby Champion ultimately because of his youth. Fielder is on the wrong side of 30-years-old, which will give a huge advantage to the Dodger center fielder when both hitters are swinging as fast as they can in the last round.

– Zach S.