KANSAS CITY -- Though Mookie Betts continues to help the Red Sox win with his play in all facets of the game, he will need a surge from his fans to get the votes necessary to start his second straight All-Star Game.
Boston's right fielder, who was the runner-up to Michael Trout in the American League's Most Valuable Player Award voting last season, was sixth at his position when the latest round of results was released on Tuesday for the Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot.
"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."
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With 946,510 votes, Betts is within striking distance of George Springer, who is currently in possession of the third and final spot in the AL outfield with 1,176,951 votes.
Last year, Betts started for the AL while making his first appearance in the Midsummer Classic.
Red Sox rookie left fielder Andrew Benintendi is 10th in the outfield balloting with 704,484 votes.
Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts, who is having another solid all-around season, is fourth at his position with 750,708 votes.
"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, 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.