SAN FRANCISCO -- If Buster Posey and Yadier Molina were candidates for public office, each would be campaigning from dawn until midnight, while pollsters would work overtime trying to forecast a winner.
Though the stakes aren't a seat in the House or Senate, the contest between Posey and Molina is dramatic nonetheless. Theirs remains the closest race in the 2016 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot voting for next month's All-Star Game, with Molina (1,568,930) holding a slight edge on Posey (1,563,800) among National League catchers in the latest balloting update announced Monday.
Posey and Molina have combined to win each of the last four and six of the last seven fan e1ections as the NL's starting catcher at the Midsummer Classic. Seeking his second consecutive fan election and third overall -- he also won it in 2012 -- Posey entered Monday batting .285 with eight home runs, 36 RBIs, 17 doubles and 43 runs scored. Molina is bidding for his fifth fan election, having won in 2009-10 and '13-14. He began Monday hitting .261 with a home run, 25 RBIs, 15 doubles and 25 runs scored.
Washington's Wilson Ramos has emerged as a third-party candidate, if you will. He's closing fast on the outside with 1,282,287 votes.
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 8:59 p.m. PT. 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.
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.
Various Giants rank among the leaders at every position yet rank far behind the top spot in votes. San Francisco's fringe contenders are first baseman Brandon Belt (second place with 1,233,499 votes, compared to 2,630,049 for Chicago's Anthony Rizzo); second baseman Joe Panik (third, 768,312; Chicago's Ben Zobrist leads with 2,474,852 votes); shortstop Brandon Crawford (fourth, 1,002,261 votes; Chicago's Addison Russell leads with 1,741,182); and third baseman Matt Duffy (665,802 votes; Chicago's Kris Bryant sets the pace with 2,459,704 votes). Hunter Pence and Angel Pagan rank 11th and 15th, respectively, among outfielders.