2026 MLB Derby: Phillies’ Schwarber & Harper Lead Heat
Heat Wave Sets Stage for Power Hitting
Philadelphia is bracing for another summer heat wave, creating perfect conditions for long balls at Citizens Bank Park on Monday. The former Phillies manager Charlie Manuel once dubbed this stretch “Hittin’ Season,” and the sweltering weather seems to still favor power hitters. With the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby just hours away, the warm, humid air could help participants launch the ball farther than usual. Fans can expect a night of fireworks as the city’s summer heat intersects with elite hitting talent.
Home Run Derby Lineup Highlights
The headliners for the 2026 MLB Derby are designated hitter Kyle Schwarber and first baseman Bryce Harper, both of them Phillies representing their hometown. The duo has combined to exceed 50 home runs during the first half of the season, giving them a strong platform to showcase their power. Junior Caminero brings Derby experience to the field, having finished as runner‑up last year. Meanwhile, Munetaka Murakami returns after a month‑plus stint on the injured list with a Grade 2 right hamstring strain, adding another story line to the competition. Five other spots are filled by first‑time Derby participants, keeping the field fresh and unpredictable.
Event Details
Location: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia)
Date & Time: Monday, July 13, 8 p.m. ET
Streaming: Netflix (exclusive broadcast)
Competition Format
There is no bracket for the first round; all eight hitters will compete in a single pool. The top four home run totals advance to a traditional head‑to‑head bracket, with the top seed facing the fourth seed and the second seed meeting the third seed. The winners of those semifinals clash in the finals to determine the Derby champion. This format ensures every participant must produce a strong performance early in the night.
Season Highlights Gallery
1 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
(Scott Marshall, Imagn Images)
1 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Athletics Lawrence Butler is tagged out by Chicago White Sox third baseman Miguel Vargas as he tires to extend his double into a triple during the eighth inning at Sutter Health Park on April 18, 2026.
(Scott Marshall, Imagn Images)
2 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Cleveland Guardians mascot Slider interacts with fans during game against the Baltimore Orioles at Progressive Field on April 17, 2026.
(David Richard, Imagn Images)
3 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Washington Nationals right fielder Daylen Lile attempts to catch a ball hit for a single by the Pittsburgh Pirates’ Jake Mangum during the first inning at PNC Park on April 16, 2026. The Nationals won the game, 8-7.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
4 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Milwaukee Brewers catcher Gary Sanchez wears a special chest protector to commemorate Jackie Robinson Day during the game against the Toronto Blue Jays at American Family Field on April 15, 2026.
(Benny Sieu, Imagn Images)
5 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 13: The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Spencer Horwitz celebrates a home run in the dugout while wearing a welder’s hood during the 16-5 win over the Washington Nationals at PNC Park.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
6 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 12: Philadelphia Phillies mascot, The Phanatic, entertains fans with local team mascots for a birthday celebration before the game against the Arizona Diamondbacks at Citizens Bank Park.
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
7 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
April 11: The Tampa Bay Rays’ Jonathan Aranda (left) celebrates with Ryan Vilade after hitting a walk‑off single against the New York Yankees in the 10th inning of a 5‑4 win at Tropicana Field.
(Nathan Ray Seebeck, Imagn Images)
8 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cleveland Guardians’ Jose Ramirez acknowledges the fans after becoming the team’s all‑time leader in games played against the Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field on April 6, 2026.
(David Dermer, Imagn Images)
9 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A rainbow appears during the fourth inning during the game between the San Diego Padres and Pittsburgh Pirates at PNC Park on April 6, 2026.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
10 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A fan dresses as the Pope claps during the first inning of the game between the Chicago White Sox and Toronto Blue Jays at Rate Field on April 5, 2026. The White Sox won the game, 3‑0, to complete a three‑game sweep of the Blue Jays.
(Matt Marton, Imagn Images)
11 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ Konnor Griffin celebrates with a traffic cone after making his major‑league debut in a 5‑4 defeat of the Baltimore Orioles at PNC Park on April 3, 2026.
(Charles LeClaire, Imagn Images)
12 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
A young Red Sox fan meets Tessie the Boston Red Sox mascot before the Red Sox’s home opener against the San Diego Padres at Fenway Park on April 3, 2026.
(Eric Canha, Imagn Images)
13 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
(Jayne Kamin-Oncea, Imagn Images)
14 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez (6) and center fielder Jakob Marsee celebrate a victory against the Chicago White Sox at loanDepot Park on April 1, 2026.
(Jim Rassol, Imagn Images)
15 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans try to catch a solo home run hit by the San Francisco Giants’ Matt Chapman as San Diego Padres left fielder Nick Castellanos looks on during the third inning at Petco Park on March 31, 2026.
(Denis Poroy, Imagn Images)
16 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Philadelphia Phillies mascot The Phillie Phanatic entertains fans during the game against the Washington Nationals at Citizens Bank Park on March 31, 2026.
(Kyle Ross, Imagn Images)
17 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Toronto Blue Jays’ Kazuma Okamoto gets doused with ice water by teammates after a win over the Athletics at Rogers Centre on March 29, 2026.
(John E. Sokolowski, Imagn Images)
22 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The Cincinnati Reds’ Eugenio Suárez blows a bubble as he waits to bat against the Boston Red Sox at Great American Ball Park on March 28, 2026.
(Aaron Doster, Imagn Images)
19 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
The St. Louis Cardinals’ JJ Wetherholt is doused with water by teammates after hitting a walk‑off two‑run single against the Tampa Bay Rays during the 10th inning at Busch Stadium on March 28, 2026.
(Jeff Curry, Imagn Images)
20 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Fans react as the Milwaukee Brewers’ Jake Bauers homers against the Chicago White Sox at American Family Field on March 26, 2026.
(Jovanny Hernandez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel)
21 / 21
Ballpark vibes, big plays and wild celebrations during 2026 MLB season
Two F-35C planes from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron NINE Detachment Edwards Air Force Base perform a flyover before the Opening Day game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium on March 26, 2026.
(Kirby Lee, Imagn Images)
2026 Home Run Derby field: Who is participating?
Below is the list of players that are competing in the 2026 MLB Home Run Derby:
2026 Home Run Derby bracket
There is no bracket for the first round of the Home Run Derby, as all eight hitters will be entered into a single pool. The event turns into a bracket in the second round between the players who finished with the top four home run totals from the first round. It’ll be a traditional head-to-head bracket with No. 1 vs. No. 4 and No. 2 vs. No. 3 to determine the matchup in the finals.
2026 MLB Home Run Derby: Dates, TV channel, streaming options
Location: Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia)
Streaming options: Netflix
Advertisement
The 2026 MLB Home Run Derby is set for 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 13 at Citizens Bank Park, the home of the Philadelphia Phillies and the site of the 2026 MLB All-Star Game. Netflix will exclusively stream the event.
Leave a Reply