Final push: All-Star voting ends tonight
Fans can still help to impact numerous close races in each league
Time is running out in this year's round of All-Star voting, but there is still a chance for fans to make a last-minute impact on a number of down-to-the-wire finishes.
Among the races still very much up for grabs as of the last balloting update on Tuesday are the starting outfield spots in each league, as well as a number of other positions in the National League, including catcher, first base, second base and third base.
In the most closely-contested American League battle, Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista held a slight edge for the third and final starting outfield spot as of the latest update. With Mike Trout of the Angels and Baltimore's Adam Jones holding down the top two outfield spots, Bautista sat just narrowly ahead of Jones' teammate Nick Markakis, and Tigers veteran Torii Hunter. Nelson Cruz of the Rangers and a third Orioles outfielder, Nate McLouth, were also within striking distance.
Moving to the Senior Circuit, the outfield race is just as tight. St. Louis' Carlos Beltran remained the top vote-getter among outfielders with more than two million votes than any other outfielder, but there is a logjam behind Beltran.
As of the latest update, Rockies slugger Carlos Gonzalez had moved into second with 2,928,606 votes. He has plenty of company, though, with Atlanta's Justin Upton nipping at his heels and Nationals phenom Bryce Harper not far behind in fourth. A number of other outfielders remained in close contention for the final starting spot, including the Cardinals' Matt Holliday, Pirates' Andrew McCutchen, Giants' Hunter Pence and Brewers' Ryan Braun.
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.
The outfield is far from the only place where the voting is coming down to the last minute in the NL. Cardinals catcher Yadier Molina remained the top overall vote-getter in the league as of the most recent release, but Buster Posey of the Giants remained in hot pursuit of the starting nod behind the plate.
Moving around the infield, Reds slugger Joey Votto maintained a slim lead over hot-hitting D-backs first baseman Paul Goldschmidt, and Votto's teammate Brandon Phillips is attempting to hold off both Matt Carpenter of the Cards and Marco Scutaro of the Giants at second base.
Mets third baseman David Wright had started to widen his lead over San Francisco's Pablo Sandoval, as he looks to nail down the starting spot at the hot corner, with the Midsummer Classic taking place in his home stadium. Wright is hoping to avoid a repeat of last season, when Sandoval used a significant late surge in the voting to overtake Wright for the starting role.
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.
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.
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.