BOSTON -- On sinking line drives hit to his direction in right field, Mookie Betts is known for his closing speed. Now, he needs his fans to react in a similarly swift fashion so he can start his second consecutive All-Star Game for the American League.
In the final balloting update for the 88th All-Star Game presented by Mastercard released Monday, Betts currently ranks sixth in the outfield in the Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot.
• Cast your Esurance All-Star ballot for Betts and other #ASGWorthy players
Betts, considered the best all-around player on the Red Sox, is within striking distance of the third and final spot. Betts has 1,223,195 votes. Houston's George Springer is currently third with 1,619,385 votes.
As usual, Betts is doing a little bit of everything for the Red Sox. A right-handed hitter known for his bat speed, Betts has 25 doubles, 12 homers, 40 RBIs and an .818 OPS. Betts is 12-for-14 in stolen-base attempts, and he has played stellar defense in right field.
"He's our catalyst offensively, and I don't want to take anything away from other guys, but when you look at the numbers that he's putting up, to do it in the leadoff spot, the extra-base totals he's put up, the defensive plays, he is just a dynamic all-around player," said Red Sox manager John Farrell. "In some of those games where we've had some comebacks or some big offensive nights, typically he's right in the middle of it."
Red Sox rookie left fielder Andrew Benintendi is 11th in the race with 869,774 votes.
Shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who is having another solid all-around season for the Red Sox, is fourth at his position with 982,987 votes. This stellar season for Bogaerts started back in March, when he helped lead the Netherlands to the semifinals of the World Baseball Classic.
"Bogey has done a heck of a job," said Farrell. "He's durable, you can count on him, he's a reliable shortstop and an offensive one at the same time. To me, he's a complete 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 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.
The Esurance All-Star Selection Show will take place on Sunday at 7 p.m. ET on ESPN. Following the unveiling 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.