McCutchen looking for NL ASG voting surge
PITTSBURGH -- Andrew McCutchen is going to need a late push in order to start for the National League squad at this year's Midsummer Classic, according to the latest 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot update.
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According to the penultimate balloting update, released on Tuesday afternoon, McCutchen remains fifth among NL outfielders. He's behind the Nationals' Bryce Harper, who has a giant lead in the voting, as well as the Marlins' Giancarlo Stanton, the Cardinals' Matt Holliday and the Giants' Nori Aoki.
McCutchen has received 3,542,262 votes thus far, more than 800,000 behind Aoki and nearly 1.2 million behind Holliday for the final starting job.
Francisco Cervelli, meanwhile, remains in a distant third place behind San Francisco's Buster Posey and St. Louis' Yadier Molina. Cervelli has a strong case for an All-Star assignment, but his 1,918,793 votes leave him 3.3 million behind Molina for second place.
Left fielder Starling Marte has garnered 1,618,485 votes, making him the final outfielder to appear on the balloting update.
Even if McCutchen isn't voted into the starting lineup, the Pirates are still likely to send a number of representatives to Cincinnati. Gerrit Cole and A.J. Burnett have been among the NL's best starting pitchers this season, and closer Mark Melancon entered Tuesday's action tied for the Major League lead with 23 saves.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones -- using the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, July 2, at 11:59 p.m. ET. For the first time, voting is exclusively online, where fans may submit up to 35 ballots.
Fans may also receive the ballot by texting VOTE to 89269 (USA) or 101010 (Canada). Or text VOTA for a ballot in Spanish. Message and data rates may apply. Up to five messages. No purchase required. Reply STOP to cancel. Reply HELP for info.
Following the announcement of the 2015 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player for each league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 14, watch the 2015 All-Star Game live on FOX, and during the game visit MLB.com to submit your choice for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet via the 2015 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of All-Star Week festivities.
The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide 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.