Yadi remains on track to start All-Star Game
ST. LOUIS -- Yadier Molina remains the Cardinals' best chance at having an All-Star Game starter for a sixth consecutive year, the longest active streak in the Majors.
In a third ballot update released Monday, Molina (1,621,944) continues to hold a comfortable lead over Giants backstop Buster Posey (1,078,007). The five-time All-Star for a third straight week has accrued the second-most votes among NL players, second only to Colorado shortstop Troy Tulowitzki (2,007,202).
Molina's lead over Posey continues to grow even as the 10-year veteran catcher has battled through a recent slump. In the last 12 games, Molina has hit .143 and received a mental break during the team's weekend series in Toronto.
Despite the recent slump, Molina still sports a .294 average with 64 hits, second among Major League catchers. Molina has also thrown out 46 percent of runners attempting to steal on him this season.
Left fielder Matt Holliday is the only other Cardinals player among the top players receiving votes. Holliday remains in 11th among outfielders for the third time in as many weeks. The Dodgers' Yasiel Puig (1,472,717), Miami's Giancarlo Stanton (1,259,047) and Brewers' Carlos Gomez (1,192,174) lead the way at that position.
After moving into fifth among NL shortstops last week, Jhonny Peralta fell out of the top players receiving votes in this week's update.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field on Tuesday, July 15.
Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots, but they can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, register on the site in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.
The 2014 All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show during the weekend of July 5-6, with further details to follow on MLB.com. The AL will have nine elected starters via the fan balloting program, while the NL will have eight fan-elected starters. Pitchers and reserves for both squads -- totaling 25 for the NL and 24 for the AL -- will be determined through a combination of "Player Ballot" choices and selections made by All-Star managers Mike Matheny (NL) and John Farrell (AL).
Immediately following the announcement of the rosters, you can select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Choose again at that point from among five players in each league. The Final Vote returns for its 13th season with more than 430 million votes cast to date, and you'll be able to make selections on MLB.com, club sites and your mobile device.
You'll be on a voting tear at that point, having already selected starters and the last men, and the ritual will not end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the big game, vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi. The fan voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.
MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.
The 85th 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.