Matt Kemp has been making a push for the triple crown in the National League this season, and has emerged as an MVP candidate. With 10 days left in the voting, Kemp is making strides on becoming a starting outfielder for the National League in the All-Star Game. The 2011 MLB All-Star Game will be held on Tuesday, July 12 at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona. Kemp is now fourth among NL outfielders in the voting, switching spots with teammate Andre Ethier, who is now fifth.
NL All-Star Outfield Balloting | ||
Player | Team | Votes |
Ryan Braun | Mil | 3,034,057 |
Lance Berkman |
StL | 2,562,428 |
Matt Holliday |
StL | 2,390,118 |
Matt Kemp |
LA | 2,062,667 |
Andre Ethier |
LA | 1,889,298 |
Kemp is hitting .328/.415/.622 this season, and is tied for the NL lead with 20 home runs, and is third in the league with 57 RBI. He also has 17 stolen bases and has been caught only three times. Since fan balloting returned to choosing the All-Star starting lineups in 1970, Dodger outfielders have been selected to start the All-Star game by the fans six times: Jimmy Wynn (1974-1975), Rick Monday (1978), Reggie Smith (1980), Darryl Strawberry (1991; did not play), and Ethier (2010).
For more news and information on Kemp, Ethier, and the Dodgers, be sure to read the SB Nation blog True Blue LA.