James Wood is making headlines as he takes his first day off after 174 consecutive games with the Washington Nationals. This break comes ahead of the Home Run Derby, where Wood will attempt to showcase his power and win the crown on a grand stage in Atlanta. His consistent presence in the lineup has been a remarkable feat, and the Nationals are ensuring he is well-prepared for the Derby, even arranging a chartered flight for him and fellow All-Star MacKenzie Gore.

The 2025 MLB All-Star Game is set for July 15 at Truist Park, featuring top young talents like James Wood and veteran stars like Clayton Kershaw. The game will mark Kershaw's 11th All-Star appearance, while Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani lead as fan-chosen starters. The Dodgers lead with five players in the game, demonstrating their continued dominance.

The American League will see notable names such as Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Gleyber Torres, while the National League will highlight stars like Freddie Freeman and Ronald Acuña Jr.

James Wood continues to impress with his power hitting, showcasing his burgeoning talent by hitting his 24th home run of the season. Over the last 29 games, he has cranked out eight homers, placing him among the top sluggers in Major League Baseball. Participating in the Home Run Derby next week, Wood's odds to hit another home run on Saturday against the Brewers stand at +390, providing attractive betting value. With a .931 OPS and a solid performance against right-handers, he is poised to capitalize on this matchup.

Meanwhile, Cal Raleigh of the Mariners leads the league with 38 home runs, solidifying his status as a top power hitter. In a similar vein, Kyle Schwarber of the Phillies recently reached his 30th home run milestone, demonstrating his own hot streak with five homers in just nine games this month. Sports bettors can find enticing odds for both players as they navigate the Saturday MLB slate, with Schwarber set at +230 against the Padres, appealing to those looking to capitalize on his current form.

SportsLine’s robust projection model, up 34.65 units on its individual MLB home run picks, is targeting these prop bets as prime opportunities. Alongside Wood and Schwarber, the model also favors Juan Soto, who has recently resumed hitting home runs and boasts favorable odds at +425 against the Royals. With the model's successful track record, savvy bettors should keep a close eye on these players this Saturday for valuable betting insights.

July 10, 2025, presents a prime opportunity for home run betting in the MLB with eleven games scheduled and favorable conditions, especially on the West Coast. Pitchers with a history of allowing home runs are on the mound, creating an enticing scenario for bettors.

My top five home run prop picks include Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, boasting a stellar season in Yankee Stadium against a struggling Marcus Stroman. Junior Caminero is poised to take advantage of a Fenway Park matchup, while James Wood’s elite lefty bat faces Miles Mikolas in St. Louis. Jurickson Profar and Sean Murphy of the Atlanta Braves will benefit from optimal hitting conditions against JP Sears. These players have favorable splits that suggest they are primed to go deep tonight.

Oneil Cruz, the Pittsburgh Pirates' center fielder, is set to participate in the Home Run Derby in Atlanta, marking the first time a Pirate has joined the event since Josh Bell in 2019. Known for his exceptional power, Cruz’s home run on May 25 against the Milwaukee Brewers recorded an impressive exit velocity of 122.9 mph, the hardest hit in the Statcast era. Although he has a batting average of .203 this season, he is leading the National League with 28 stolen bases and has hit 15 home runs in just 80 games, nearing his personal best of 21 homers in a season.

Joining Cruz in the Derby are notable players such as Ronald Acuña Jr. from the Atlanta Braves, Cal Raleigh of the Seattle Mariners, James Wood from the Washington Nationals, and Byron Buxton of the Minnesota Twins. Interestingly, several top power hitters, including Pete Alonso, Aaron Judge, and Shohei Ohtani, have opted out of this year’s event, which opens up the competition for Cruz to showcase his remarkable talent on a national stage.