Tulo, Rockies need boost in All-Star voting

HOUSTON -- The saying is if a star player is struggling, the best way for fans to handle it is to turn over the baseball card. Those stats, not a temporary slump, define a player. Troy Tulowitzki's bat is once again matching the numbers on the magical cardboard -- and fans who have been supporting the Rockies' shortstop on the 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Ballot were right all along.

Tulowitzki entered Tuesday's game against the Astros hitting .407 (22-for-54) since May 29, with hits in 13 of 14 games. It's a performance more in line with his standing in voting for the 2015 All-Star Game. In the latest update released on Tuesday, Tulowitzki was third among National League shortstops with 1,958,502 votes. That's well off the pace of the current leader at the position, the Cardinals' Jhonny Peralta (4,020,531), and also trails the Giants' Brandon Crawford (2,785,818).

But there is still time to vote for Tulowitzki -- who entered Tuesday hitting .303 with seven home runs and 34 RBIs -- and the Rockies' other two worthy All-Star candidates.

Third baseman Nolan Arenado is fourth at his position, even though his 29 RBIs and nine homers since May 22 are third most in the Majors during that span. Second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who entered Tuesday fourth in the NL in batting at .333, still has not cracked the top five at his position.

Corey Dickerson, who recently returned from a left foot injury and carried a .303 average into Tuesday, is 14th among outfielders.

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, July 2, at 9:59 p.m. MT. 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.

Following the announcement of the 2015 All-Stars, be sure to return to MLB.com and cast your 2015 Esurance MLB All-Star Game Final Vote for the final player for each league's All-Star roster. 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.