Tribe's red-hot Ramirez needs AS boost at 3B

Tribe's red-hot Ramirez needs AS boost at 3B

June 20th, 2017

CLEVELAND -- has enjoyed an historic week in the batter's box for the Indians. Cleveland's third baseman will require a bit more help in the ballot box if he is going to head to Miami as an American League All-Star for the first time.
On Tuesday, the latest Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot results were revealed for the AL, and Ramirez still trailed Twins third baseman for the right to start at third. Heading into Tuesday's action, Ramirez topped Sano in most major offensive categories, and he was in the midst of one of the more incredible weeks in Indians history.
"He is kind of playing with a vengeance," Indians manager Terry Francona said this past weekend. "He's gotten about as hot as you can get."
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Among AL third basemen, Ramirez headed into Tuesday's games ranked first in hits (81), doubles (23), runs (44), average (.318), slugging percentage (.561), steals (seven) and WAR (2.5, per Fangraphs), and second in on-base percentage (.371), weighted runs created plus (144) and OPS (.932).
Sano currently leads the All-Star race with 1,302,090 votes to Ramirez's 891,731.

Other Indians players receiving votes include: First baseman (fifth place with 722,315 votes); second baseman (third, 703,131); shortstop (second, 1,300,013); catcher (fifth, 666,107); designated hitter (fourth, 813,715); and outfielders (fourth, 1,001,254), (12th, 617,760) and (15th, 518,150).
Entering Tuesday, Ramirez had churned out 14 extra-base hits total and notched at least two hits in each of his past seven games. According to the Elias Sports Bureau, that marks the most extra-base hits by one player in a seven-game span in the Modern Era (since 1900). Among the 435 multihit streaks since 1913, only Paul Waner (16 extra-base hits over 11 games in '27) and Chuck Knoblauch (14 in a 10-game streak in '96) had at least 14 extra-base hits in such a run.
"Why [should fans be voting for Ramirez]? Because he's the guy right now for the team," Lindor said. "He's the one. He and Encarnacion are carrying us. [Ramirez] for sure is going to be at the All-Star Game. I truly believe that. I encourage the fans to vote for him because he's a tremendous player and even better person."
Ramirez's seven straight games with at least one double set a franchise record, helping him earn AL Player of the Week honors.

"He gives pitchers such a hard time," Chisenhall said. "It's just fun to watch him work. He's methodical. He runs like his pants are on fire when he gets hits, and it's fun to see what he does. He's a special player."
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.