DETROIT -- The Tigers continue to chase a spot in the American League All-Star lineup, with Miguel Cabrera trying to close ground on Eric Hosmer at first base as balloting continues.
With a week and a half left in voting, Cabrera appears to be Detroit's best hope. But he needs some help to make up a 573,197-vote gap on his Kansas City counterpart.
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Victor Martinez is fourth in balloting at designated hitter, trailing leader David Ortiz, while Ian Kinsler and Nick Castellanos rank fifth at second and third, respectively.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday, June 30, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Vote up to five times in any 24-hour period for a maximum of 35 times. 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.
Cabrera is at least helping his case statistically. His .924 OPS and .543 slugging percentage entering play Tuesday led all AL first basemen, as did his 83 hits and 16 doubles. Cabrera's 15 home runs trailed only Baltimore's Chris Davis among first baseman, while his 43 RBIs put him one behind Hosmer and Chicago's Jose Abreu at his position.
Cabrera's drive to the concourse and out of Comerica Park on Monday night gave him a highlight play. Whether that's enough to overcome a Kansas City voting bloc that has kept formar Royal and current free agent Omar Infante in the race at second base remains to be seen.
Following the announcement of the 2016 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player on each league's All-Star roster. On Tuesday, July 12, watch the 2016 All-Star Game presented by MasterCard 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 2016 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
The 87th All-Star Game, in San Diego, will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 160 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB.com, MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.