Kinsler, V-Mart need bumps in All-Star Game voting

DETROIT -- Miguel Cabrera might end up being the only Tiger in the American League All-Star starting lineup unless Ian Kinsler gets a late vote push at second base.

Kinsler still has a close race with Robinson Cano for the AL All-Star start at second base, but he lost ground in the latest All-Star voting update. He's now about 224,000 votes behind Cano for the spot. While Kinsler's stream of votes has remained relatively strong, especially after the Tigers returned home from a stretch of 17 of 20 games on the road, Cano has enjoyed a surge coming off a stretch that has put him atop the AL in hitting.

While Kinsler's average dipped below .300 on Saturday, his increased power -- notably 19 doubles -- has him five points behind Cano in OPS among AL second basemen.

Cabrera's lead at first base, meanwhile, is looking relatively secure, despite a bump in votes from White Sox rookie Jose Abreu's return off the disabled list. With 1,477,420 votes as of Sunday's update, Cabrera trails only outfielders Jose Bautista and Mike Trout among all AL players.

Meanwhile, Cabrera leads Abreu by over 600,000 votes, and has doubled the vote total for Albert Pujols. Barring a massive shift, Cabrera -- who had to wait until he won a Triple Crown and an MVP to get voted into an All-Star start -- will earn his second straight start at a second different position, having moved over from first base.

Victor Martinez appears to be a similar spot Cabrera faced a few years ago, a deserving player at a position with too many deserving players to get an edge. Though Martinez continues to rank among the best hitters in the league, he trails Nelson Cruz by more than 550,000 votes -- and David Ortiz by just under 200,000 votes -- for the AL starting nod at designated hitter.

Fans can cast their votes for starters at MLB.com and all 30 club sites -- online or on a mobile device -- using the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Ballot Sponsored by Experian until Thursday, July 3, at 11:59 p.m. ET. The 2014 All-Star Game will be played at Target Field in Minneapolis on Tuesday, July 15.

Fans may submit up to 25 online ballots, but they can also earn a one-time bonus of 10 additional online ballots. To access these additional online ballots, you must be logged into your MLB.com account when you submit any online ballot. If you do not have an MLB.com account, register on the site in accordance with the enrollment instructions for a free MLB.com account.

In-person balloting continues at Comerica Park through the end of the Tigers' next homestand, June 18.

Fans this year once again can participate in the Home Run Derby Fan Poll. Fans will have the opportunity to select three players in each league who they would most like to see participate in the Home Run Derby. The 2014 Home Run Derby 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 14.

The 2014 American League and National League All-Star teams will be unveiled on the 2014 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show during the weekend of July 5-6, with further details to follow on MLB.com. Immediately following the announcement of the AL and NL All-Star rosters, fans can begin voting to select the final player for each league's 34-man roster via the 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote Sponsored by Experian. Fans will cast their votes from a list of five players from each league over the balloting period.

The final phase of All-Star Game voting will again have fans participating in the 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 2014 All-Star Game MLB.com MVP Vote Sponsored by Pepsi, and their voice will represent 20 percent of the overall vote that determines the recipient of the Arch Ward Trophy.

MLB.com will provide extensive online coverage of the All-Star Week festivities.

The 85th 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.

AMERICAN LEAGUE ALL-STAR VOTE LEADERS

CATCHER
1. Matt Wieters, Orioles: 1,235,369
2. Brian McCann, Yankees: 827,200
3. Derek Norris, A's: 813,053
4. A.J. Pierzynski, Red Sox: 491,709
5. Kurt Suzuki, Twins: 465,202

FIRST BASE
1. Miguel Cabrera, Tigers: 1,477,420
2. Jose Abreu, White Sox: 845,059
3. Albert Pujols, Angels: 707,924
4. Chris Davis, Orioles: 659,800
5. Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 436,504

SECOND BASE
1. Robinson Cano, Mariners: 1,111,880
2. Ian Kinsler, Tigers: 887,544
3. Dustin Pedroia, Red Sox: 778,700
4. Brian Dozier, Twins: 488,524
5. Jose Altuve, Astros: 392,416

SHORTSTOP
1. Derek Jeter, Yankees: 1,376,054
2. Alexei Ramirez, White Sox: 1,212,362
3. J.J. Hardy, Orioles: 754,764
4. Jose Reyes, Blue Jays: 536,525
5. Jed Lowrie, A's: 401,798

THIRD BASE
1. Josh Donaldson, A's: 1,470,544
2. Evan Longoria, Rays: 729,092
3. Manny Machado, Orioles: 720,761
4. Adrian Beltre, Rangers: 707,952
5. Brett Lawrie, Blue Jays: 469,855

DESIGNATED HITTER
1. Nelson Cruz, Orioles: 1,404,275
2. David Ortiz, Red Sox: 1,036,055
3. Victor Martinez, Tigers: 843,215
4. Edwin Encarnacion, Blue Jays: 738,107
5. Brandon Moss, A's: 480,597

OUTFIELD
1. Jose Bautista, Blue Jays: 2,135,223
2. Mike Trout, Angels: 1,945,170
3. Melky Cabrera, Blue Jays: 1,096,784
4. Adam Jones, Orioles: 820,336
5. Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees: 813,357
6. Yoenis Cespedes, A's: 799,123
7. Michael Brantley, Indians: 720,961
8. Carlos Beltran, Yankees: 712,154
9. Nick Markakis, Orioles: 691,023
10. Torii Hunter, Tigers: 666,116
11. Shin-Soo Choo, Rangers: 532,267
12. Alex Rios, Rangers: 483,151
13. Brett Gardner, Yankees: 453,169
14. Coco Crisp, A's: 444,433
15. David Lough, Orioles: 396,085