All-Star voting update

Hanley Ramirez looks to be driver's seat to become the second Marlins player to start an All-Star game.

It looks more and more as if Hanley Ramirez will be the National League's starting shortstop in the All-Star Game. Ramirez stretched his lead to about 170,000 votes over Houston Astros shortstop Miguel Tejada. Ramirez led by 70,000 in last week's All-Star update.

The fact that the voting is this close is awful.  However, the Astros fans are trying to make sure Berkman is the starter at first base, and that's understandable.  Obviously some/most of the Houston faithful are just voting a straight Astros ticket.

Danny has moved up in the balloting.

Marlins second baseman Dan Uggla moved up to third in the voting, but Philadelphia's Chase Utley, who leads with 2.6 million votes, is all but a lock to be the starter at second base. Online voting ends Wednesday night, and teams will be announced Sunday.

Woo Hoo!  We've got him up to third.  Unfortunately he isn't going to be selected as a starter unless I tell you how to game the system.  Which I won't do.  But there is a way to do it.

Danny may or may not play in the All-Star game.  I fully expect him to be chosen by the players and the managers.  But given his problems with his ankle, the Marlins may request (read demand) that he doesn't play.

Online voting ends at midnight on Wednesday.

In other All-Star voting news.

Chris Volstad of Palm Beach Gardens is among six members of the Mudcats named to the Southern League Northern Division All-Star team. Volstad (4-3, 3.28 ERA) is joined by infielders Gaby Sanchez and Chris Coghlan, outfielders Cameron Maybin and John Raynor and pitcher Chris Mobley.

Carolina will host the game July 14.

Congrats to the Mudcats who made the team.