Four Rays in running for All Star Game

My my how things have changed after making the World Series last year.

This season, four Tampa Bay Rays are in the running for an All-Star bid.

Left fielder Carl Crawford, third baseman Evan Longoria, shortstop Jason Bartlett & first baseman Carlos Pena are all in the running to make the team this year, but they need some help.

We have three days left to vote, so check out your All Star Ballot, and only Longoria is leading in votes for his position.

Crawford has come on as of late. His .321 average is 4th in the AL, and he has stolen 40 bases this season, including a 6 steal game against the Red Sox earlier this year. His 40 thefts are best for 1st in the AL standings. Crawford has homered in each of the last two games, drawing more national attention than he would normally see.

Pena silently leads the AL in home runs with 23, and has driven in 55 runs, which ranks him 8th in the AL. His refound power presence at the plate this year has contributed to his AL leading 51 walks.

Bartlett might be the player that has the hardest time making the squad this year, despite putting up career best numbers. Bartlett is batting .367 with 7 dingers and 36 RBI’s, a far cry better than last years numbers, when he his 1 home run and 36 RBI’s, while batting .286.

Longoria, while not 100% in the last few weeks due to injury, has still hit 16 home runs, and ranks 3rd in the AL with 63 RBI’s while batting .301. Longoria made last years team as a last minute vote by the fans, and hit a pinch hit RBI. Longoria is expected to be a fixture at the hot corner for the AL for years to come.