Red Sox lack support in first batch of MLB All-Star Game voting results
By Sean Penney
The early ballot results for the 2017 MLB All-Star Game have been released and it’s not looking promising for Boston Red Sox players.
Last year the Boston Red Sox sent six players to the All-Star Game, including four who were voted in by the fans as starters. This year they may struggle to receive enough support to earn a starting spot for any of their position players.
Major League Baseball has released the first balloting update for the 2017 All-Star Game, the results of which have not been kind to Boston.
Outfielder Mookie Betts is the only Red Sox player who the fans would vote in as a starter based on the early ballot returns. If these results hold it will be the second All-Star nod of his career, following his inclusion as a starter last year.
While Betts is in position to earn a starting spot, he’s a distant third at his position and has Cleveland Indians outfielder Michael Brantley nipping at his heels. It’s no surprise that Cleveland fans have come out in full force in support of their team after the Indians made a run to the World Series last year, so it will take a significant push from Red Sox Nation to keep Betts in the top three.