The Sportsletter - Derby Dingers ⚾️

BY JEFF YODER

JULY 19, 2022  |  SUBSCRIBE  |  REFER  |  WEB VIEW

Good Morning,

A Home Run Derby for the ages ignited MLB All-Star week, but we're not done yet. The All-Star Game is tonight (7:30 pm ET), and we've got an MLB-heavy edition as the stars ascend on Los Angeles.

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MLB

Soto Shines in Home Run Derby

Photo: Daniel Shirey / Getty Images

Nationals’ Juan Soto Beats Julio Rodriguez in Epic Home Run Derby Showdown

The MLB Home Run Derby brought some of the game’s biggest long-ball hitters to the dish on Monday night in Los Angeles to kickoff All-Star week, and the show didn’t disappoint. A pair of young stars from the Dominican Republic reached the finals before Nationals star Juan Soto (19 HRs) bested Mariners rookie Julio Rodriguez (18 HRs) in a down-to-the-wire battle. It was Rodriguez who took down two-time defending champion Pete Alonso. But by night’s end, an all-Dominican Republic battle saw Soto start slow before crushing his 19th blast to send the crowd into a frenzy.

Juan Soto’s HR Derby

Longest HR: 471 Feet

Hardest HR: 111 MPH

Avg. HR Distance: 428 Feet

Avg. HR Exit Velocity: 106.8

Fun Fact: At 23 years, 266 days old, Soto was one away from tying Juan Gonzalez for the youngest winner in Derby history.

Watch: Juan Soto Wins 2022 Home Run Derby

Final Home Run Derby Bracket

Additional Storylines

Yahoo! Sports: Juan Soto Tops Julio Rodriguez in HR Derby to Continue Dramatic Week

ESPN: Takeaways & Favorite Moments From Home Run Derby at Dodger Stadium

MLB

MLB Power Rankings

Photo: Mitchell Leff / Getty Images

MLB Mid-Season Power Rankings at the All-Star Break

With the All-Star week takeover in the MLB, it’s a good time to do an evaluation of where teams stand heading into the second half of the season. We’ve seen win streaks and hot starts by the Yankees and Mets before the Astros made a furious climb into AL contention. The Angels had a June dropoff of epic proportions while the Braves and Mariners have both strung together massive win streaks in June-July. As the dust settles on the first half, we’re gearing up for the pennant races with 75 days to October. Here’s the latest Sportsletter Power Rankings.

MLB Power Rankings (All-Star Break Edition)

1. Yankees (64-28)

2. Dodgers (60-30)

3. Astros (59-32)

4. Mets (58-35)

5. Braves (56-38)

6. Mariners (51-42)

7. Rays (51-41)

8. Cardinals (50-44)

9. Brewers (50-43)

10. Twins (50-44)

Honorable Mention: 11. Padres (52-42) | 12. Blue Jays (50-43) | 13. Phillies (49-43) | 14. Giants (48-43) | 15. Red Sox (48-45) | Full MLB Standings

Additional Storylines

CBS Sports: 2022 MLB Midseason Awards Picks for MVP, Cy Young & More

Fansided: MLB Power Rankings: Yankees are Brilliant, Mariners are Resilient

B/R: MLB All-Stars Most Likely to be Dealt Before 2022 Trade Deadline

SOCCER

Women's Soccer Scoreboard

Photo: Brad Smith / Getty Images

USWNT Tops Canada in CONCACAF W Final (1-0); Quarterfinals Set for UEFA Women’s EURO Championship

A busy summer in women’s soccer continued on Monday night with the U.S. Women’s National Team capturing the CONCACAF W title for a spot in the 2024 Olympics. They beat Canada in the finals (1-0) on Alex Morgan’s penalty strike (78’) for the only goal of the game. Both teams had chances in the first half, but Rose Lavelle drew a foul in the box late in the match to set up Morgan’s winner.

Fun Fact: The win boosted the USWNT’s record in World Cup and Olympic qualifying matches to 60-1-1 all time. They haven’t lost since 2011 against Mexico.

Watch: USWNT def. Canada (1-0) in CONCACAF W Final

UEFA Women’s EUROs 2022

The third and final group stage match of the UEFA Women’s EUROs concluded on Monday, and the field of 8 in the knockout stage is officially set. Few surprises mark the bracket, and we’ll trim the field to four for the semifinals by next week. Here’s a look at yesterday’s scores and the knockout stage bracket:

Group Stage: Match 3

France draw Iceland (1-1)

Belgium def. Italy (1-0)

Quarterfinals Schedule

England vs. Spain (Wed. 2:00 pm)

Germany vs. Austria (Thurs. 2:00 pm)

Sweden vs. Belgium (Fri. 2:00 pm)

France vs. Netherlands (Sat. 2:00 pm)

Additional Storylines

Sporting News: Alex Morgan Penalty Clinches W Championship, 2024 Olympic Berth

The Guardian: Belgium Women Sink Italy (1-0) to Reach EURO Quarterfinals for 1st Time

THE STORYLINES

⚾️ MLB Draft Grades

Major League Baseball’s 2022 draft got underway Sunday night with a total of 80 selections made. We’re grading all the picks as the draft continues this week. (CBS Sports)

🏀 NBA Summer League Notebook

What did we learn in Las Vegas? We examine Paolo Banchero’s towering presence, Keegan Murray shutting some mouths, Chet Holmgren’s limitless possibilities, and more. (The Ringer)

🏈 Deshaun Watson vs. NFL

The eventual punishment, if any, imposed on Browns quarterback Deshaun Watson will depend on the decision of a judge. If the result is a year-long suspension, he’ll challenge. (NBC Sports)

📰 THE HEADLINES

• James Harden Told 76ers He’d Take Pay Cut to Improve Roster (B/R)
• Inter Miami Eyeing Lionel Messi in Future Deal (ESPN)
• Golf Analyst David Feherty to Leave NBC Sports for LIV Golf (SI)
• ESPN Under Fire for Major ESPYs Snub (Yahoo! Sports)
• Former NFL Tight End Arrested After Pulling Gun on Officers (CBS Sports)

• Faith Kipyegon Becomes Female Mile Champ With 4th 1500-Meter Win at Track Worlds (NBC Sports)

Support The Sportsletter Team

Writer & Editor: Jeff Yoder

Content Intern: Marissa Kasch

Product Manager: Matthew Cahill

Lead Designer: Joe Stella

Technical Lead: Kevin Lonergan

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