BOSTON -- Could Jason Heyward's strong start result in a trip to his first All-Star Game since his rookie season in 2010? Will Anthony Rizzo and Kristopher Bryant be selected to the National League team again? And how about Willson Contreras, Kyle Schwarber and Javier Baez?
Those six Cubs, plus Addison Russell and Benjamin Zobrist, were included on the Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot released Monday. They're all vying to play in the July 11 MLB All-Star Game presented by MasterCard in Miami.
• VOTE: Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot
The Cubs made history last year by becoming the second team to have its entire infield start an All-Star Game, as Rizzo, Zobrist, Russell and Bryant were elected to the NL team. The only other team to accomplish that feat was the 1963 Cardinals.
William Fowler, Jacob Arrieta and Jonathan Lester also represented the Cubs last year at the All-Star Game.
Heyward and Schwarber are candidates for the 2017 NL Comeback Player of the Year Award, as well. Entering Monday, Heyward was batting .279 this year after hitting .230 last season, his first with the Cubs. Schwarber was able to play in the '16 World Series despite not getting a hit in the regular season after tearing two ligaments in his left knee in the third game.
This is the first time Schwarber, Baez and Contreras have been included on the All-Star ballot.
How many players from the defending World Series champs will make it this time?
Fans may cast votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, June 29, at 11:59 p.m. ET. On smartphones and tablets, fans can also access the ballot via the MLB.com At Bat and MLB.com Ballpark mobile apps. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 ballots cast.
Following the announcement of the 2017 All-Star starters, reserves and pitchers, fans should return to MLB.com and cast their 2017 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each league's All-Star roster. Then on Tuesday, July 11, while watching the 2017 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard live on FOX, fans may visit MLB.com to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2017 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
The 88th Midsummer Classic, at Marlins Park in Miami, will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; 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, while MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM will have comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, please visit AllStarGame.com and follow @AllStarGame on social media.