Home Run Derby Live Blog: Robinson Cano, David Wright and Prince Fielder headline All

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Eight of the baseball’s most prolific sluggers are set to take part in perhaps the most anticipated event of All-Star week — the Home Run Derby. This year the All-Star field will be led by captains and hometown favorites David Wright and Robinson Cano, along with defending champion Prince Fielder. It's a strong group, and we're expecting them to put on entertaining show at Citi Field. And who knows, maybe somebody will literally hit one into the big apple stationed behind the center field wall.

The festivities are just a couple hours from getting underway (8 ET on ESPN), and once they do Big League Stew will have you covered from Chris Berman’s long-winded introductions, all the way through the trophy presentation. Be sure to check be with us all night long for the very latest updates and insights.

Before I get into the rules, format and full list of participants in this year‘s Derby, I’d like to give you one friendly reminder. If you’re setting your DVR, make sure to add on an extra 60 to 90 minutes. I can’t remember the last time the first round ended in under two hours, let alone the entire event, so make sure to give yourself plenty of latitude.

The Rules

The Home Run Derby will feature three rounds with each batter getting ten outs per round. Any swing that doesn't result in a home run is considered an out.

Each batter selects their own pitcher for the event.

The Format

After all eight participants bat in round one, the four with the highest total will advance to round two. In the case of a tie, the men involved will have a swing-off at the end of the round to determine who advances.

After round two, the two participants with the highest total of home runs in round one and round two will advance the finals where the totals will be reset. It's worth mentioning that swing-off home runs will not count in their round one and round two totals.

In addition to the individual competition, there will be a separate team battle going on between the two leagues during round one. Each league has four participants involved as selected by their team captain. The league with the highest total of home runs in the derby will win $150,000 for a charity selected by their captain. The losing captain's charity will receive $25,000.

The Participants

Representing the American League will be captain and 2011 Home Run Derby champion Robinson Cano of the New York Yankees. His three selections are 2009 and 2012 champion Prince Fielder of the Detroit Tigers, Yoenis Cespedes of the Oakland A's and Baltimore Orioles first baseman Chris Davis, who leads baseball with 37 first half home runs.

In the National League, David Wright, representing the hometown New York Mets, will serve as captain. His team will be rounded out by his childhood friend Michael Cuddyer of the Colorado Rockies, 20-year-old Bryce Harper from the Washington Nationals, and Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Pedro Alvarez, who is serving as substitute for Colorado's Carlos Gonzalez.

Now that you know all of the particulars, go check out our official picks and dark horses for tonight‘s Derby and predictions for Tuesday‘s All-Star game. When you're done there, come on back and leave your comments and predictions below.

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