4 All-Star races to be decided in final hours

With only hours left to vote for the American and National League starting position players on the 2018 Camping World All-Star Ballot, four races are very much up for grabs, including one that is separated by the narrowest of margins.
• VOTE NOW: 2018 Camping World MLB All-Star Ballot
Before balloting for the 89th All-Star Game presented by Mastercard closes at 11:59 p.m. ET tonight, here's a rundown of the closest races, starting with the NL, which features quite a bit of drama, especially at catcher, where only 8,218 votes separate the new leader, the Cubs' Willson Contreras, and All-Star stalwart Buster Posey in today's most recent update.
NATIONAL LEAGUE
CATCHER

1. Willson Contreras, Cubs: 1,683,686
   
2. Buster Posey, Giants: 1,675,468
   Posey is a five-time All-Star, while Contreras is looking to make his first Midsummer Classic appearance.
   SECOND BASE
   
3. Ozzie Albies, Braves: 2,306,487
   
4. Javier Báez, Cubs: 2,194,717
   
5. Scooter Gennett, Reds: 2,157,304
   Albies has overtaken Baez for the top spot since Monday's ballot update, with Gennett also within striking distance. A starting spot would clinch first-time All-Star Game appearances for all three players.

AMERICAN LEAGUE
FIRST BASE

1. José Abreu, White Sox: 1,616,736
   
2. Yuli Gurriel, Astros: 1,403,117
   Abreu holds a slim lead over Gurriel, who is seeking his first All-Star Game appearance in his third year in the big leagues. Abreu represented the White Sox during his AL Rookie of the Year season in 2014.
   SHORTSTOP
   
3. Manny Machado, Orioles: 1,566,797
   
4. Carlos Correa, Astros: 1,443,031
   Machado has been a bright spot during Baltimore's difficult season, and on the ballot he currently ranks just ahead of Correa, who helped the Astros to their first World Series title in franchise history last fall.

Fans may cast votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- on computers, tablets and smartphones -- exclusively online using the 2018 Camping World MLB All-Star Ballot until 11:59 p.m. ET tonight. On smartphones and tablets, fans can also access the ballot via the MLB At Bat and MLB Ballpark mobile apps. Each fan can vote up to five times in any 24-hour period, for a maximum of 35 ballots cast.
Following the announcement of this year's All-Star starters, reserves and pitchers, fans should return to MLB.com and cast their 2018 Camping World MLB All-Star Final Vote for the final player on each league's roster. Then on Tuesday, July 17, while watching the 2018 All-Star Game presented by Mastercard live on FOX, fans may visit MLB.com to submit their choices for the Ted Williams Most Valuable Player Award presented by Chevrolet with the 2018 MLB All-Star Game MVP Vote.
The 89th Midsummer Classic, at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., will be televised nationally by FOX Sports; in Canada by Rogers Sportsnet and RDS; and worldwide by partners in more than 180 countries. FOX Deportes will provide Spanish-language coverage in the United States, while ESPN Radio and ESPN Radio Deportes will provide exclusive national radio coverage of the All-Star Game. MLB Network, MLB.com and SiriusXM also will provide comprehensive All-Star Week coverage.
For more information about MLB All-Star Week and to purchase tickets, visit AllStarGame.com and follow @MLB and @AllStarGame on social media.