Tigers hoping Miggy not lone All-Star starter

DETROIT -- Miguel Cabrera is well on his way towards what will be his first vote into the All-Star starting lineup. If any other Tigers are going to join him, though, they're going to need a final push.

If it's going to happen, it has to start now. Otherwise, Cabrera and Tigers manager Jim Leyland will be seeing a lot of Baltimore Orioles around them.

For the second consecutive week, Cabrera is the only Tiger in line for a spot among the American League All-Star starters. Of greater concern, several of the remaining Tigers continue to lose ground.

Jhonny Peralta, the leader in batting average, hits and OPS among AL shortstops, moved up to second place at his spot, passing Texas' Elvis Andrus. However, his gap in votes behind leader J.J. Hardy actually grew to about 710,000 votes, up from 550,000.

Peralta's walk-off home run Thursday to beat the Red Sox might put his resume into better light. Of all the Tigers trying to earn a spot besides Cabrera, he might have the best case. In some categories, he's enjoying a better season than he had when he earned an All-Star reserve spot in 2011.

"He flies under the radar quite a bit around here, and probably nationally as well," Leyland said. "This guy's a good player, and he's been a good player ever since he's joined the Tigers."

Prince Fielder remains second to Chris Davis at first base, but his gap now stands at about 1.4 million votes. The more Davis hits, the more Fielder's chances seem to dim for a third consecutive All-Star start.

Torii Hunter, meanwhile, fell to fifth among AL outfielders, dropping behind Jose Bautista in the fourth spot. However, his gap behind Nick Markakis for the third and final spot remains close at just 64,000 votes.

Of all the Tigers trying to vault into contention, the math appears to give Hunter the best chance. If he can somehow get there, he'd join his old teammate, Mike Trout, in the AL outfield.

"It'd be pretty cool to see me and Torii out there, reunited," Trout told MLB.com's Alden Gonzalez earlier this month. "What he's doing in Detroit is pretty special."

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or via a mobile device -- using the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot until Thursday, July 4, at 11:59 p.m. ET.

Fans may submit 25 online ballots during the voting period but can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, fans must be logged into an MLB.com account when submitting any online ballot. To obtain an MLB.com account, visit www.mlb.com and register in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.

Fans can also once again participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league whom they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2013 Home Run Derby -- part of Gatorade All-Star Workout Day -- will be broadcast live on ESPN, ESPN HD, ESPN Deportes and ESPN Radio in the United States beginning at 8 p.m. ET on Monday, July 15.

Though originally scheduled for July 7, the 2013 rosters will now be unveiled Saturday, July 6, at 6:30 p.m. ET on the 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell. The show will be televised nationally on FOX.

From Saturday, July 6 to Thursday, July 11, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2013 All-Star Game Final Vote Sponsored by freecreditscore.com for the final player for each League's All-Star roster.

And the voting doesn't end there. The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the official voting for the Ted Williams All-Star Game Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet. During the Midsummer Classic, fans will vote exclusively online at MLB.com via the 2013 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the official vote determining the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

The 2013 All-Star Game will be played at Citi Field on Tuesday, July 16. Come to MLB.com for extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 84th All-Star Game will be televised nationally by FOX Sports, 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 also will also provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage. For more information, please visit allstargame.com.

AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR VOTING
(as of June 22)

FIRST BASE
Chris Davis, Orioles 3,960,299
Prince Fielder, Tigers 2,579,031
Mike Napoli, Red Sox 902,562
Albert Pujols, Angels 872,602
Mitch Moreland, Rangers 750,674

SECOND BASE
Robinson Cano, Yankees 3,032,183
Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox 2,135,499
Ian Kinsler, Rangers 1,329,136
Omar Infante, Tigers 1,191,119
Jose Altuve, Astros 850,577

SHORTSTOP
J.J. Hardy, Orioles 2,548,682
Jhonny Peralta, Tigers 1,838,500
Elvis Andrus, Rangers 1,616,834
Jed Lowrie, Athletics 1,207,486
Derek Jeter, Yankees 819,175

THIRD BASE
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers 4,337,223
Manny Machado, Orioles 2,097,804
Adrian Beltre, Rangers 1,334,195
Evan Longoria, Rays 1,106,984
Josh Donaldson, Athletics 635,581

CATCHER
Joe Mauer, Twins 2,788,972
Matt Wieters, Orioles 2,068,032
A.J. Pierzynski, Rangers 1,054,093
Carlos Santana, Indians 1,029,674
Jarrod Saltalamacchia, Red Sox 966,196

DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox 3,247,462
Lance Berkman, Rangers 1,519,503
Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays 1,091,593
Victor Martinez, Tigers 959,646
Mark Trumbo, Angels 919,036

OUTFIELD
Adam Jones, Orioles 3,571,693
Mike Trout, Angels 3,548,195
Nick Markakis, Orioles 1,915,860
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays 1,867,367
Torii Hunter, Tigers 1,851,657
Nate McLouth, Orioles 1,660,080
Nelson Cruz, Rangers 1,595,371
Jacoby Ellsbury, Red Sox 1,289,195
Alex Gordon, Royals 1,239,771
Yoenis Cespedes, Athletics 1,183,926
Coco Crisp, Athletics 1,115,204
Austin Jackson, Tigers 983,469
Josh Hamilton, Angels 897,181
Shane Victorino, Red Sox 823,363