<TABLE id=pendingWager cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=headerBG colSpan=2>1) BET ID</TD></TR><TR><TD class=pending><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD width=220>Future Wager</TD><TD>07/13/09 18:35 ET</TD></TR><TR><TD width=220>bet 25.00 to win 100.00 </TD><TD>Result: Pending</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE></TD></TR><TR><TD class=pendingAltColor colSpan=2><TABLE><TBODY><TR><TD colSpan=2>2009 Home Run Derby - Odds to Win - All Bets Action</TD></TR><TR><TD width=220>Ryan Howard (Phillies) </TD><TD>07/13/09(20:00 ET)
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National League
Fielder has 22 homers this season.
Prince Fielder, Brewers
Power quotient: His 22 homers have him on a pace rivaling 2007, when he hit a career-high 50.
Derby history: Eliminated in first round in 2007.
Pitcher: He had not decided as of Sunday afternoon.
Odds: 5-1. He has been on a roll and could find a little extra motivation because his MVP-worthy season has been overshadowed by Albert Pujols. But Fielder's history in Busch is mediocre -- five homers in 101 at-bats.
Adrian Gonzalez, Padres
Power quotient: His 24 homers are even more impressive when considering his home park is a power-hitter's nightmare.
Derby history: First time.
Pitcher: Ray Krohn, the Padres' batting practice pitcher since 2007.
Odds: 6-1. Gonzalez's easy swing should play in his favor the longer he stays in the contest. Gonzalez hits his homers to all fields but he will be looking to pull tonight. He has instructed Krohn to throw "middle to middle in." That could throw him off his game.
Ryan Howard, Phillies
Power quotient: He leads the majors in homers since 2006 with 175 homers, 25 more than runnerup Albert Pujols. Howard has 22 this season.
Derby history: Won in 2006 (Pittsburgh), eliminated in first round in 2007.
Pitcher: Deron Spink, one of his youth league coaches.
Odds: 2-1. He has too much on his side to not be the favorite. He's already won this contest and he grew up in St. Louis and will have the crowd cheering. And he loves hitting in Busch Stadium: In 17 games, he has seven homers, 29 RBIs, a .381 average and a 1.282 OPS.
Albert Pujols, Cardinals
Power quotient: Leads the majors with 32 homers, five fewer than he hit in 2008. Pujols has surpassed 30 homers in each of his first nine seasons.
Derby history: Reached semifinals in 2007, lost in finals (9-8) to Garret Anderson in 2003.
Pitcher: Cardinals first base coach Dave McKay usually throws to Pujols but he will not be available. Pujols has called on Pirates bullpen coach Luis Dorante to sub. Dorante managed a winter-league team in the Dominican that Pujols was going to play for last winter but couldn't because of elbow concerns. "I know Albert a little bit but it's not like we're really good friends," Dorante told Pittsburgh reporters.
Odds: 4-1. Besides breaking in a new pitcher, Pujols is coming off a long Sunday having played a day-night doubleheader at Wrigley Field. He would be wise to go through the motions, head home and get some rest. The hometown crowd, however, could rev up his adrenaline. And, of course, he is Albert Pujols.
American League
Cruz already has found his home run swing.
Nelson Cruz, Rangers
Power quotient: In his first season as a regular, he ranks among A.L. leaders with 21 homers.
Derby history: First time.
Pitcher: Evaristo Lantigua, a Padres manager in the Dominican Summer League. They know each other from their days with the A's.
Odds: 5-1. At 6-3, 230, he has slugger size and he is known for matching teammate Josh Hamilton with his batting practice escapades.
Brandon Inge, Tigers
Power quotient: His 19 homers are the most he's hit since 2006 and the second-most in his career.
Derby history: First time.
Pitcher: Tigers bullpen catcher Scott Pickens.
Odds: 7-1. Listed at 5-11, 188 pounds, Inge looks to be out of his element in this field of 200-plus pounders. One factor working for him: Inge was a late add to the A.L. team and knows the Derby could be his moment on the big stage.
Joe Mauer, Twins
Power quotient: With perhaps the sweetest lefty swing in the game, Mauer is a two-time batting champ who has added power this season. His 15 homers are two more than his career-best of 13.
Derby history: First time.
Pitcher: Jim O'Neill, his high school coach.
Odds: 5-1. Winning a Derby title would be just another chapter in a storybook career. But is he a power hitter or not? He has only four homers since the start of June.
Carlos Pena, Rays
Power quotient: A classic all-or-nothing slugger, Pena leads the A.L. with 24 homers.
Derby history: First time.
Pitcher: Rays batting practice John McNulty.
Odds: 5-1. Pena is a streaky hitter with a lefty uppercut swing that's designed for the long ball. He admittedly was shocked to be named by his manager as a late addition to the A.L. team but if he stays cool, he could get on a run.
