Huge incentive for fans to #VoteTsunami

CHICAGO -- Looking for a wave of support in their #VoteTsunami All-Star campaign to get right-hander Carlos Martinez into his first All-Star Game presented by T-Mobile, the Cardinals have created a series of social media initiatives to highlight his worthiness and reward fans for participating in the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote competition.

Martinez was one of five players chosen by National League manager Bruce Bochy to vie for the 34th spot on his roster. He is competing against a pair of countrymen from the Dominican Republic (Johnny Cueto and Jeurys Familia) and two others (Clayton Kershaw and Troy Tulowitzki) who are both four-time All-Stars.

As of Wednesday morning's first voting update, Martinez ranked third on the NL Final Vote ballot, behind Cueto and Tulowitzki.

Fans can cast their votes from a list of five players from each league until 3 p.m. CT on Friday.

Every fan who casts a vote for Martinez will be automatically entered into a Cardinals-sponsored sweepstakes that features a grand prize of two field box tickets and two UMB Champions Club passes to the Sept. 6 game against the Pirates, as well as an autographed Martinez baseball.

The Cardinals, who have already had five other players named to the All-Star Game, are also leaning heavily on their social media following to generate a voting push for Martinez. Through its team Twitter and Instagram accounts, the club has already begun to roll out 18 reasons to vote for No. 18.

There are social media giveaways on the way for those who cast a vote for Martinez, too. According to a club spokesperson, the team will be giving away tickets and autographed items from Martinez over the next few days. The Cards will be posting more details on how to win the various prizes on their social media accounts.

On Tuesday, the Cardinals also solidified a Final Vote alliance with the Royals, who have third baseman Mike Moustakas in the mix for an American League All-Star spot. Details of the joint campaign are expected to be released on Wednesday. In teaming up with the Royals, the Cards are hopeful of benefiting from the support of a Kansas City fan base that voted in four Royals All-Stars.

While the Cardinals hope their social media push and in-state coalition help drive fans to vote for the 23-year-old Martinez, he has the on-field credentials to back up the push.

Entering Tuesday, Martinez ranked sixth in the NL with 13 quality starts, ninth with a 2.70 ERA and 10th with 105 strikeouts. Fourteen of the 30 earned runs he has given up came during a two-start stretch in early May. Take those away, and Martinez has an ERA of 1.58 over his other 15 starts.

Martinez will have an opportunity to give one final boost to his candidacy when he starts against Pittsburgh on Thursday.

During the Midsummer Classic in Cincinnati on Tuesday, fans can once again visit MLB.com to submit their choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. Voting exclusively at MLB.com, online and via their mobile devices in the 2015 All-Star Game MVP Vote presented by Chevrolet, the fans' collective voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

MLB.TV Premium subscribers will be able to live stream the All-Star Game via MLB.TV through FOX's participating video providers. Access will be available across more than 400 supported MLB.TV platforms, including the award-winning MLB.com At Bat app. MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities, including the 2015 Gillette Home Run Derby presented by Head & Shoulders, part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day on Monday. The Derby will feature a new format with brackets and timed rounds and will be broadcast live by ESPN and MLB.com beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports 6 p.m. CT air time, 7:15 first pitch), in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.