Phase 2 of the Chevrolet MLB All-Star Ballot has arrived, and that means some of the most exciting players in MLB going head to head for the right to start the 92nd All-Star Game on July 19 at Dodger Stadium.

The Phase 1 results were announced last Thursday, leaving two final candidates per league at each position except for outfield, where four finalists will battle it out for two spots. (The Yankees' Aaron Judge and the Braves' Ronald Acuña Jr. clinched automatic starting spots by virtue of being their respective leagues' top vote-getters in Phase 1). In each case, vote counts start over from zero rather than carrying over from Phase 1.

Fans can vote once per day in Phase 2, which began on Tuesday and continues until 2 p.m. ET on Friday. Unsure of which box to check? MLB.com is here to help, with breakdowns of some of the more intriguing one-on-one ballot showdowns.

One of the most intriguing is at first base in the National League, with the Mets’ Pete Alonso and the Cardinals’ Paul Goldschmidt squaring off. Here is what you need to know:

FAST FACTS

Pete Alonso, Mets
Born: Dec. 7, 1994 (Age 27)
Birthplace: Tampa, Fla.
Drafted: 2nd round, 2016 (by NYM)
Debuted: March 28, 2019 (with NYM)
Bats/throws: Right/right
Jersey number: 20

Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals
Born: Sept. 10, 1987 (age 34)
Birthplace: Wilmington, Del.
Drafted: 8th round, 2009 (by ARI)
Debuted: Aug. 1, 2011 (with ARI)
Bats/throws: Right/right
Jersey number: 46

• Alonso vs. Goldschmidt: Vote here

DEFINING STAT (THROUGH SUNDAY)

Alonso: MLB-leading 69 RBIs
This stat may not have the same cachet as it used to, but Alonso just set a Mets record for the most RBIs by a player through the end of June, surpassing Mike Piazza’s 68 RBIs in 2000. Through Sunday, Alonso’s 13 homers with men on base was second in the Majors to Nolan Arenado's 14.

Goldschmidt: .378 BA vs. breaking balls
Goldschmidt has been a strong hitter against fastballs throughout his career, but he proved susceptible against breaking balls in 2020-21, hitting .239 with six homers and a 25.3% strikeout rate in 273 plate appearances ending on such pitches during that span. Pitchers have gone to the breaking stuff more than ever against him this season, but Goldy has turned the tables. He had a .369 average with five homers in 104 PAs ending on breaking balls through Sunday's games, fueling a tremendous first half.

FIRST-HALF PERFORMANCE

Alonso: With Alonso holding down the cleanup spot in the lineup and starting all but one game, the Mets finished June with the second-best record in the NL. The first baseman led the team in homers (22) and OPS (.919) to go with his MLB-best RBI total entering Monday.

Goldschmidt: Showing no signs of slowing down at age 34, Goldschmidt led all qualifiers in batting average (.342) and on-base percentage (.424) and was second in the NL in OPS (1.054) through Sunday, with 19 homers and 65 RBIs in 77 games to boot. With Goldy as their offensive centerpiece, the Cardinals entered Monday with the fourth-most runs scored (383) in MLB and just a two-game deficit behind the Brewers in the NL Central.

CAREER ACCOMPLISHMENTS

Alonso: Bursting onto the scene in 2019, Alonso hit a rookie-record 53 homers and won the NL Rookie of the Year Award. The first baseman socked his 100th career home run last September in his 347th game, becoming the second-fastest player in AL/NL history to reach the century mark behind Ryan Howard (325 games). Alonso is also one of four players to win multiple Home Run Derby titles, joining Ken Griffey Jr., Prince Fielder and Yoenis Céspedes.

Goldschmidt: One of the best players of his generation, Goldschmidt has earned six All-Star selections, four Silver Slugger Awards and four Gold Gloves since he debuted with the D-backs in 2011. And while he's never been named MVP, the first baseman has finished second in the NL voting twice (2013, 2015), third once (2017) and sixth twice (2018, 2021).

ALL-STAR HISTORY

Alonso: Alonso has been a big part of the All-Star festivities during his brief MLB career. In addition to his two Home Run Derby victories, he's a one-time All-Star, making the NL team as a reserve during his incredible 2019 rookie season. Alonso not only drove in two of the NL's three runs in a losing effort at Progressive Field in Cleveland but also stole a base and flashed the leather on a spectacular pick at first base (while mic'd up).

Goldschmidt: While he hasn't had much success at the Midsummer Classic itself, going 2-for-14 with zero RBIs, Goldschmidt earned six consecutive All-Star selections from 2013-18 and was voted in as a starter twice. He also started the 2018 All-Star Game as the NL DH after being selected as a reserve.

FUN FACTOR

Alonso: From his wild walk-off celebrations to his colorful quotes to his mammoth home runs, the man known as Polar Bear Pete has brought a unique attitude to the Mets since his 2019 debut. He gets bonus points for championing the push to bring back the Mets' black jerseys, which they finally did in 2021, and for taking the opportunity to run it back at the Home Run Derby and pulling off the repeat.

Goldschmidt: If you're looking for big personalities, Goldschmidt isn't your guy, but there's something to be said about his understated excellence and durability. From 2013-21, only one player (Carlos Santana) appeared in more games than Goldschmidt, and he had seven seasons with an OPS+ of 140 or better in that span -- second only to Mike Trout's nine.