We have nearly reached the end of the 2012 Major League Baseball All-Star voting period, and things are going to get interesting in a few of the races. 

For the most part, we know which players will be starting just by virtue of the cities they play in. Whether you agree with that or not, it is the world we live in.

The best and most deserving players don't always go the All-Star Game. It also doesn't help that MLB feels every team must be represented. 

Which position battle is the hardest to determine?

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Since we just want to keep this on the voting, which ended on Thursday night, we won't have any ranting about who got snubbed. Instead, we will provide you with updated voting totals, starting lineups and final vote totals as they are announced on Sunday afternoon. 

 

AMERICAN LEAGUE VOTE LEADERS TOTAL VOTES*
 Prince Fielder, 1B, Detroit Tigers  2,825,532
 Robinson Cano, 2B, New York Yankees  3,559,290
 Adrian Beltre, 3B, Texas Rangers  3,073,541
 Derek Jeter, SS, New York Yankees  4,407,982
 Mike Napoli, C, Texas Rangers  3,008,228
 David Ortiz, DH, Boston Red Sox  3,128,711
 Josh Hamilton, OF, Texas Rangers  7,310,824
 Curtis Granderson, OF, New York Yankees  3,812,339
 Jose Bautista, OF, Toronto Blue Jays  2,773,442

 

NATIONAL LEAGUE VOTE LEADERS TOTAL VOTES*
 Joey Votto, 1B, Cincinnati Reds  4,475,180
 Dan Uggla, 2B, Atlanta Braves  2,641,361
 Rafael Furcal, SS, St. Louis Cardinals  2,323,486
 David Wright, 3B, New York Mets  2,687,818
 Buster Posey, C, San Francisco Giants  3,335,982
 Matt Kemp, OF, Los Angeles Dodgers  4,118,524
 Carlos Beltran, OF, St. Louis Cardinals  3,717,483
 Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers  3,168,617
 Melky Cabrera, OF, San Francisco Giants  3,045,884

*Vote totals released on Monday, June 25 at MLB.com. 

 

Notable Position Battles

Third National League Starting Outfielder

Ryan Braun, OF, Milwaukee Brewers 3,168,617
Melky Cabrera, OF, San Francisco Giants 3,045,884

146600513_crop_exact Mike McGinnis/Getty Images

Analysis: Cabrera is having a fantastic first half, as he is third in the National League in batting average (.355) and represents the only player from the senior circuit with more than 100 hits (as of June 28).

That said, Braun is having one of the best seasons of anyone in baseball, hitting .311/.392/.596 and playing, for the first time in his career, above-average defense in left field.

He should be starting in this game, no questions asked. 

 

American League Starting Second Baseman

Robinson Cano, 2B, New York Yankees 3,559,290
Ian Kinsler, 2B, Texas Rangers 3,462,367

147225096_original Jim McIsaac/Getty Images

Analysis: Cano's slow start likely contributed to a lot of votes for Kinsler. But the Yankees second baseman is going to win this vote, and deservedly so. 

 

Third American League Starting Outfielder

Jose Bautista, OF, Toronto Blue Jays 2,773,442
Nelson Cruz, OF, Texas Rangers 2,681,019

146704903_crop_exact Marc Serota/Getty Images

Analysis: How Nelson Cruz is even in this race is beyond me. He is a nice player, but not one of the three best outfielders in the American League.

Bautista is having a remarkable year and should get even better when his .194 batting average on balls in play moves up to a more standard level.