The Tigers now have three players in starting spots as the All Star Game balloting winds down and the Yankees are right on their heels with three (and a chance for more). Magglio Ordonez joined Placido Polanco and Ivan Rodriguez as players who would be starters if the voting ended today. And for the Yankees, Alex Rodriguez and Derek Jeter both lead at their positions. Jorge Posada and Robinson Cano are in second place and they could make one last push. The difference between Manny Ramirez in fourth place and Ichiro in third is almost nothing (less then 25,000 votes).
In the National League, Prince Fielder has extended his lead at first base and Barry Bonds is now on the outside looking in at fourth place at outfield. It looks like the Mets are going to end up with three starters and despite a mediocre year (for him), Carlos Beltran leads all National League players with votes. Ken Griffey, Jr. stayed in second and he’s right behind him.
Things are far from certain though as this story indicates. Especially with the online ballots, players can make huge pushes in the final week so the final standings will almost be as interesting as who ends making that big push in the final days.
