MLB All-Star Selection Show 2013: Date, Time, Schedule, Vote Leaders and More

The 2013 MLB All-Star game is here, and for the 11th straight season the players and baseball officials will be able to use the phrase "this time it [still] counts."

Home field advantage in the World Series is on the line whether you like it or not, a byproduct of baseball officials and MLB commissioner Bud Selig trying to make the game as marketable and enjoyable for fans as possible. 

This year, a wide number of well-known players are still in the running for starting spots at their respective positions. Conversely, a slew of first-time All-Star candidates will likely emerge alongside them as we see a shift in the talent league-wide. 

The voting for this year's Midsummer Classic ends at midnight on Thursday, July 4, so while you still have an opportunity to vote your favorite player into the game, those opportunities are fleeting (h/t MLB on Twitter): 

That being said, we'll take a look at the upcoming MLB All-Star selection show, scheduled for Saturday, and preview some of the storylines you should look out for in preparation for the beginning of the road to October. 

*For a complete look at the latest on the 2013 MLB All-Star game, check out AllStarGame.com. 

All-Star Selection Show Information

What: 2013 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show (game to be played at Citi Field in New York)

When: Saturday, July 6, at 6:30 p.m. ET

Watch: FOX (check local listings)

*via MLB.com. 

Current Leaders at Each Position

AMERICAN LEAGUE			NATIONAL LEAGUE
First Base	Team	Votes	First Base	Team	Votes
Chris Davis	Orioles	5,468,703	Joey Votto	Reds	3,622,608
Prince Fielder	Tigers	3,280,681	Paul Goldschmidt	D'Backs	3,035,114
Albert Pujols	Angels	1,140,420	Allen Craig	Cardinals	2,525,399
Mike Napoli	Red Sox	1,123,281	Brandon Belt	Giants	1,804,152
Mitch Moreland	Rangers	1,007,675	Freddie Freeman	Braves	1,494,604
Second Base			Second Base
Robinson Cano	Yankees	3,974,322	Brandon Phillips	Reds	3,411,839
Dustin Pedroia	Red Sox	2,838,129	Matt Carpenter	Cardinals	3,186,423
Ian Kinsler	Rangers	1,767,806	Marco Scutaro	Giants	3,142,783
Omar Infante	Tigers	1,554,514	Daniel Murphy	Mets	1,598,297
Jose Altuve	Astros	1,227,462	Chase Utley	Phillies	1,355,750
Shortstop			Shortstop
J.J. Hardy	Orioles	3,509,180	Troy Tulowitzki	Rockies	4,072,834
Jhonny Peralta	Tigers	2,505,348	Brandon Crawford	Giants	2,383,248
Elvis Andrus	Rangers	2,122,770	Jean Segura	Brewers	2,072,083
Jed Lowrie	A's	1,491,376	Pete Kozma	Cardinals	1,867,781
Jose Reyes	Blue Jays	1,091,707	Andrelton Simmons	Braves	1,192,066
Third Base			Third Base
Miguel Cabrera	Tigers	5,844,165	David Wright	Mets	4,452,282
Manny Machado	Orioles	2,752,627	Pablo Sandoval	Giants	3,610,096
Adrian Beltre	Rangers	1,792,809	David Freese	Cardinals	2,376,121
Evan Longoria	Rays	1,528,877	Chris Johnson	Braves	1,234,095
Josh Donaldson	A's	827,381	Ryan Zimmerman	Nationals	1,072,563
Catcher			Catcher
Joe Mauer	Twins	3,869,330	Yadier Molina	Cardinals	5,093,645
Matt Wieters	Orioles	2,677,959	Buster Posey	Giants	4,674,847
A.J. Pierzynski	Rangers	1,441,827	John Buck	Mets	1,446,565
Carlos Santana	Indians	1,285,650	Miguel Montero	D'Backs	997,791
Jarrod Saltalamacchia	Red Sox	1,256,505	Brian McCann	Braves	997,322
Designated Hitter			Outfield
David Ortiz	Red Sox	4,398,197	Carlos Beltran	Cardinals	5,013,806
Lance Berkman	Rangers	2,004,388	Carlos Gonzalez	Rockies	2,928,606
Edwin Encarnacion	Blue Jays	1,688,099	Justin Upton	Braves	2,917,659
Victor Martinez	Tigers	1,257,577	Bryce Harper	Nationals	2,902,393
Mark Trumbo	Angels	1,190,709	Matt Holliday	Cardinals	2,697,608
Outfield			Andrew McCutchen	Pirates	2,510,614
Mike Trout	Angles	4,822,983
Adam Jones	Orioles	4,766,256
Jose Bautista	Blue Jays	2,679,230
Nick Markakis	Orioles	2,536,864
Torii Hunter	Tigers	2,390,336
Nelson Cruz	Rangers	2,258,797

*As of July 2, h/t MLB.com. 

Storylines to Watch

Yasiel Puig 

Does Yasiel Puig deserve to make the All-Star team?

His stats and impact on the Los Angeles Dodgers certainly say so. Puig is hitting an unearthly .443 since arriving in L.A. in June, smashing eight home runs and 17 RBI during that time frame.

His legend is also growing each time he steps in the box, and that kind of marketability could be huge for the game itself. 

He's not on any All-Star ballots because he was a late roster add to the Dodgers this year, but that hasn't stopped the club from pitching their star outfielder as a write-in vote (as you can see above). 

Not everyone is on board with Puig as an NL All-Star, though. Jonathan Papelbon spoke to MLB Network Radio (h/t ESPN.com) about the young Cuban's candidacy, and called any consideration "an absolute joke."

Regardless of your opinion on Puig as an All-Star, he has no-doubt taken baseball by storm since his call to the majors. His storyline will be one to watch on Saturday during the selection show. 

Changing of the Guard

Gone are the days of the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies dominating the voting scene. 

Only one Yankee (Robinson Cano) and one Red Sox (David Ortiz) lead voting at their respective positions, and there are no Phillies anywhere near the top spot in the NL after the club has struggled to keep pace in the NL East so far this season. 

The Baltimore Orioles could have four starters (Chris Davis, J.J. Hardy, Adam Jones, Nick Markakis) by the time voting ends, and on the opposite side, the Cincinnati Reds (Joey Votto and Brandon Phillips) and St. Louis Cardinals (Yadier Molina and Carlos Beltran) make up a significant chunk of the the voting. 

Individually, Chris Davis is a new face to the scene at first base, but when you hit 31 home runs (heading into Wednesday night) before the All-Star break, that's what happens. 

Paul Goldschmidt is another first baseman trying to get to the top of his position in the NL, while Matt Carpenter has made waves as a candidate to start at second base for the DH-less side after a strong start for the Cards. 

Close races to monitor before the selection show kicks off on Saturday include the top spot in the AL outfield, at shortstop and at second base. In the NL, the impending battle at first base and catcher could flip-flop over the next two days, depending on how many fans get to the polls. 

News and Notes

The Pittsburgh Pirates, who have the best record in the NL and are tied with the Red Sox for the best record in baseball before games on July 3, have only one player (Andrew McCutchen) with an outside shot at starting at Citi Field. The Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres and Miami Marlins have no players in the top five of the voting at any position in the NL. 

In the AL, the Seattle Mariners, Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Royals all failed to crack the top five so far with any player. The Houston Astros, who currently have the worst record (30-54) in baseball, have one on the list with 2B Jose Altuve. 

In terms of attractions for the game, ESPN's Darren Rovell has been tweeting out some things to expect if you're in attendance for the July 16 contest. It doesn't have anything to do with the selection show, but these images are pretty cool:

Pitchers are not included in fan voting for the All-Star game, but looking at the landscape right now, it wouldn't be too far off to think Detroit Tigers starter Max Scherzer and his 12-0 record would start for the AL, right? 

Maybe not.

According to manager Jim Leyland in this report from Tom Verducci of Sports Illustrated, Scherzer's pitching schedule for the Tigers might limit him from being on the hill in the first inning for the AL when things kick off. 

Speaking of pitchers, Fox Sports' Jon Morosi took a look at some candidates to make the All-Star team from both the American and National League back in June. Among them on the AL side were Scherzer's teammate Justin Verlander, Texas Rangers starters Yu Darvish and Derek Holland, Royals ace James Shields and Felix Hernandez of the Mariners. 

For the NL, Morosi listed Clayton Kershaw, Shelby Miller, Adam Wainwright and hometown favorite Matt Harvey as those with the best shot to try and give the National League its fourth straight victory in the All-Star game. 

Saturday's selection show will shed light on who fans are dying to see on the national stage during the All-Star game, so make sure you tune in to see all the stars (and snubs) that emerge from the fan voting process. 

Follow Bleacher Report's Ethan Grant (@DowntownEG) on Twitter.