It seems that the Milwaukee Brewers' push to "Vote Braun" in the last week is working just as planned.
In the latest National League All-Star voting update, Brewers star left fielder Ryan Braun overtook Giants outfielder Melky Cabrera, who had pushed past the Milwaukee outfielder in the previous update. Now, it seems Braun and Cabrera are in a deadlock for the final starting outfielder spot, as Dodgers outfielder Matt Kemp and Cardinals outfielder Carlos Beltran lead for the top two spots by more than 500,000 votes.
Dodgers manager Don Mattingly did mention recently that Kemp wouldn't play in the All-Star game if he was unable to make it onto the field for Los Angeles before the All-Star break. In that situation, both Cabrera and Braun would likely start.
But for now, it's Braun who is safest in that third and final spot — a position that would guarantee his fifth-straight All-Star starting nod.
This season, Braun is ahead of the pace he set last year in an NL MVP season, batting .314 with 20 home runs and 52 RBI.
Final online All-Star voting will close Thursday June 28.
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