If the 2012 MLB All-Star Game was held today, the St. Louis Cardinals would have two players in the starting lineup: catcher Yadier Molina and right fielder Carlos Beltran. The defending World Series champions have struggled since getting off to a 20-11 start, but St. Louis' influence is still found all over the first balloting update for the All-Star Game, which was released on Tuesday.
Here's a look at the balloting in the National League at catcher and in the outfield:
CATCHERS
Yadier Molina, Cardinals: 1,100,048
Buster Posey, Giants: 1,072,464
Brian McCann, Braves: 707,508
Carlos Ruiz, Phillies: 562,021
Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers: 457,590OUTFIELDERS
Matt Kemp, Dodgers: 1,952,910
Carlos Beltran, Cardinals: 1,212,030
Ryan Braun, Brewers: 1,112,971
Andre Ethier, Dodgers: 827,262
Melky Cabrera, Giants: 714,642
The Cards also have three players currently in second place. Shortstop Rafael Furcal trails Troy Tulowitzki of the Rockies by 20,000 votes, Davis Freese tails the Mets' David Wright by 32,000 votes and Lance Berkman trails the Reds' Joey Votto by 68,000 votes.
For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation St. Louis. For more coverage of this series, head over to Cardinals blog Viva El Birdos.