Discover: Home Run Derby Monday

By MLB.com Blogs Usher

Sporting a new seeded-and-bracketed look, the Gillette Home Run Derby will entertain fans tonight at 8 p.m. ET on ESPN. DrewZuhoskiDaily! goes over the new format and rules, while The Rainout Blog hopes it doesn’t have any material tonight. The Cubs have two participants in Anthony Rizzo and Kris Bryant, so Muskat Ramblings asked their teammates who would claim bragging rights in the clubhouse. Elsewhere, Britt Ghiroli has quotes from the Orioles’ Manny Machado on his approach going into the event.

Winner of the NL Final Vote, Cardinals pitcher Carlos Martinez took a moment to thank the fans who voted him to Cincinnati with a video posted to his The Wave of Perseverance MLB Pro Blog.

With his Reds hosting the All-Star festivities, Better Off Red’s Jamie Ramsey recaps All-Star Weekend in the Queen City (with photos!) and looks ahead at what’s still to come.

DC Sports and Stuff takes stock of where the injury-plagued Nationals stand at the break, after coming into the season with expectations so high.

The Royals claimed a wild victory to close out the first half, and Drinking the Royals Blue Aid shares some thoughts on the win.

The Cubs’ Jake Arrieta enjoyed an unbelievable day on Sunday, hitting his first career home run while tossing a 10-inning complete game victory over their crosstown rivals. The Canuck Cubbie pays tribute to Arrieta’s outstanding individual performance.

Bottom of the Ninth explains how the first-place Yankees went into the break on a winning note, fittingly thanks in part to A-Rod’s tie-breaking hit.