Franco, Phillies need final All-Star ballot push
With his stellar June, Maikel Franco is making a legitimate case to be the Phillies' representative at the 2015 MLB All-Star Game. But he'll need some help from the fans by using the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET.
Entering Monday's series opener with the Phillies, Franco was batting .374 in June with an OPS of 1.112 in 99 at-bats. Those marks have improved his batting average on the season to .304 and his eight June home runs pushed his total into double digits with 10, second on the team to Ryan Howard despite almost 100 fewer at-bats. Franco is also second on the team in RBIs and tied for third in runs scored.
If Franco is elected to the All-Star team, it would make him the first rookie third baseman to represent the National League as an All-Star since Albert Pujols in 2001.
Among Phillies pitching candidates, Jonathan Papelbon stands out. Papelbon has a 1.82 ERA in 29 appearances and is 14-for-14 in save situations. The three runs he's allowed in June are the most runs he's allowed in any month this year.
Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on their computers, tablets and smartphones -- using the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot until Thursday at 11:59 p.m. ET. For the first time, voting is exclusively online, where fans may submit up to 35 ballots.
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.
The 2015 All-Star starters will be unveiled on Sunday at 7:30 p.m. ET on the Esurance All-Star Starters Selection Show on ESPN. Then on Monday at 7 p.m. ET, the All-Star reserves, pitchers and Final Vote candidates will be announced on the Esurance All-Star Selection Show on ESPN, immediately after which fans can return to MLB.com to begin casting their 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Votes for the final player for each league's All-Star roster. Final Vote ends Friday, July 10, at 4 p.m. ET. On Tuesday, July 14, watch the 2015 All-Star Game 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 2015 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of All-Star Week festivities.
The 86th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX, in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS, and worldwide by partners in more than 200 countries via MLB International's independent feed. ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network and SiriusXM will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.