Taking a Look at Tonight's MLB Home Run Derby

The Park:  Thought by many acutually to be a pitchers-oriented ballpark, is actually much more of a hitter's ballpark.  The park has been in the top five in terms of runs scored per game, and is ranked 5th in that category this year.  It is also fifth among ballparks in terms of homers per game.  The dimensions are 330 down the left-field line, 334 down the right-field line, and 407 out to straight center.  There is also a 25-foot backdrop in straight center which helps the batter's eye.

AL Team
David Ortiz- Boston's slugger has 19 homers this year, and 368 in his career, the most of any player in the contest.  Holds the Red Sox record for 54 homers in 2006.  Won the 2010 Derby in Anaheim.

Jose Bautista- 85 of his 144 career homers have come since Opening Day 2010.  Leads the league with 31 home runs in 2011.  The short left field should benefit him tremendously, with 26 of his 31 homers going to left.

Adrian Gonzalez- Has just 17 homers but 16 of them have come since May 1.  Only player on AL Team with considerable Chase Field experience, where his 13 homers ranks the third most of any ballpark Gonzalez has played at behind Coors Field (14) and Petco Park (57).

Robinson Cano- Not known as a home run hitter, averaging just 19 homers per season in six-plus MLB seasons, but averaged 27 between 2009 and 2010.  He has 15 in 2011.

NL Team
Prince Fielder-  The 2009 Home Run Derby Champ, has 22 homers in 2011, and hit 32 or more homers every year between 2007 and 2010, including 50 in 2007 and 46 in 2009.

Rickie Weeks- Never topped 20 homers before 2010, but hit 29 last year and has 17 this year.

Matt Holliday- Has 14 homers this year but has just 4 home runs in 188 at bats at Chase Field.

Matt Kemp- On pace to hit career-high home run mark (28) with his 22 homers at the break.  Only has 5 homers in 124 at bats at Chase Field.

Predicted Winner: Jose Bautista over Prince Fielder