Philip Humber Injury Update: Rehab Start Pushed Back By Weather

Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Philip Humber was scheduled to pitch a rehab start for the Double-A Birmingham Barons on Wednesday night, but the start has been pushed back due to inclement weather, according to Scott Merkin of MLB.com. Instead, according to Merkin, Humber will start the first game of doubleheader tomorrow at 5 p.m.

Humber's rehab start tonight for Birmingham postponed due to impending weather. DH Thurs, starting at 5 p.m.

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) July 12, 2012

If all goes well with the rehab start, Humber should return to the White Sox early next week where he is expected to start vs. the Boston Red Sox in Fenway Park. That start is likely to come on Tuesday.

Humber could still pitch Thursday and start Tuesday at Fenway Park if all goes well

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) July 12, 2012

Humber has been on the disabled list since June 17 with a strain of his right elbow flexor. He has a 6.01 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP on the season.

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

MLB All-Star Game 2012: N.L. Throttles Justin Verlander, Wins 8-0

Prior to 2010, the American League had won 12 straight MLB All-Star games (not including the infamous tie of 2002), but with their 8-0 victory on Tuesday night, the National League claimed its third straight All-Star victory. They did it by hammering out those eight runs in the game's first four runs— the total would be the most runs scored by a single team in an All-Star game since 2004, and the margin of victory would be the most lopsided since 1983.

The N.L. scored the first of those five runs in the first inning off reigning Cy Young winner Justin Verlander, who allowed four hits and two walks in his single inning of work. The big blasts came from Ryan Braun, who kicked the scoring off with a double, and Pablo Sandoval, who smacked a three-run triple to effectively put the game out of reach. The inning's final run came on a single by Dan Uggla.

In the fourth inning, the N.L. put up three more runs, all coming off of Texas Rangers P Matt Harrison. The first came on a Matt Holliday single to score his teammate Rafael Furcal, with the final two coming on a two-run homer by eventual MVP Melky Cabrera.

The city of Chicago's All-Stars were more or less quiet. White Sox P Chris Sale pitched the sixth inning, giving up two hits but no runs while striking out David Freese. Paul Konerko got a single at-bat and was hit by an R.A. Dickey knuckleball, while teammate Adam Dunn sat the night out. On the Cubs front, Starlin Castro and Bryan LaHair both went 0-1, with the former flying out and the latter grounding out.

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

MLB All-Star Game: Chris Sale Pitches Scoreless 6th Inning, A.L. Down 8-0

It's been a rough night for the A.L. pitching staff, or at least two of its pitchers. But Chicago White Sox P Chris Sale did not fall victim to the same ills as did Detroit Tigers P Justin Verlander or Texas Rangers P Matt Harrison. As scheduled, Sale came in to pitch the top of the sixth for the A.L. and put up a scoreless inning to keep the score at 8-0.

Sale first faced St. Louis Cardinals SS Rafael Furcal, who, despite already amassing two hits on the night, flied out to center field. Sale then gave up back-to-back singles to Chipper Jones of the Atlanta Braves and Andrew McCutchen of the Pittsburgh Pirates, before getting Jay Bruce of the Cincinnati Reds to fly out and David Freese of the St. Louis Cardinals to strikeout.

Paul Konerko entered the game in the bottom of the sixth and reached after being hit by an R.A. Dickey knuckleball.

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: Chris Sale Expected To Pitch In 6th Inning

According to Scott Miller of CBS Sports, the tentative plan for the AL pitching staff is as follows:

American League starter Justin Verlander is expected to work the first two innings, according to pitching coach Mike Maddux. After that, manager Ron Washington and Maddux are planning to use these seven pitchers for one inning each (in order): The Rays' David Price, the Rangers' Matt Harrison, the Angels' Jered Weaver, the White Sox's Chris Sale, the Athletics' Ryan Cook, the Orioles' Jim Johnson and the Rays' Fernando Rodney.

On the NL side, starter Matt Cain is expected to be followed (in order) by Gio Gonzalez, Stephen Strasburg, Cole Hamels, R.A. Dickey, Clayton Kershaw, Lance Lynn and some combination of Craig Kimbrel and Aroldis Chapman

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

MLB All-Star Game 2012: Jake Peavy Unlikely To Pitch Unless Game Goes To Extra Innings

White Sox starter Jake Peavy has been assigned an emergency/extra innings role by the American League coaching staff, according to CSN Chicago's Dan Hayes.

Jake Peavy said he spoke to AL coaching staff & worked way into emergency/extra innings role. Hopes for blowout & to pitch in KC on Sat #ASG

— Dan Hayes (@DanHayesCSN) July 10, 2012

Related: 2012 MLB All-Star Game Lineups: AL East, NL Central Dominate Among Starters

Peavy is 7-5 with a 2.85 ERA in 17 starts this season. He is scheduled to make his first start of the second half against the Royals on Saturday.

For more White Sox coverage, check out South Side Sox. For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: Lineup, TV Schedule, Streaming And More

The Chicago White Sox could make the 2012 World Series. The Chicago Cubs will not. But the latter's All-Stars could end up playing a crucial role in whether the White Sox, or any other American League team, has home field advantage in the Fall Classic.

The Cubs have two reserves on the National League roster: SS Starlin Castro and 1B/OF Bryan LaHair. Of course, with the way that the All-Star Game usually plays out, those two will be on the field as the game reaches its crucial innings. But, the White Sox's reserves— 1B Adam Dunn, 1B Paul Konerko, P Jake Peavy and P Chris Sale— may be, too.

The starting pitchers for this year's game are Matt Cain for the NL and Justin Verlander for the AL.

Starting lineups can be found here.

Game date/time: Tuesday, July 10, 7:00 p.m. CT

Location: Kauffman Stadium, Kansas City, Mo.

TV: Fox

Streaming: MLB.com

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

Home Run Derby 2012: Prince Fielder Takes Home Second Career Derby Title

Prince Fielder may not be living up to his $214 million contract with the Detroit Tigers this season, but the old Prince was on display in Kansas City on Monday night during the 2012 Home Run Derby. Fielder hit 28 total bombs on the night to defeat some of his fellow premier sluggers and take home his second career Derby title.

Fielder, though, started the night off slow. In the contest's first round, Fielder only hit five homers, barely sneaking into the second round ahead of cuts Andrew McCutchen and Carlos Gonzalez. But from there, Fielder left the competition in the dust, hitting 23 total homers in the final two rounds to knock out Carlos Beltran, Mark Trumbo and eventually Jose Bautista. Bautista started off the night on fire, smashing 11 bombs, but he proved to have the opposite trajectory of Fielder, as he only hit 9 total homers in the last two frames.

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Lineups: AL East, NL Central Dominate Among Starters

Both the American League East division and the National League Central division own a hefty population of starters among the AL All-Star and NL All-Star teams. According to Jon Morosi of FOX Sports, the respective team managers have released their lineup cards, revealing a particular bias to the Central and East:

#NL #ASG lineup: Gonzalez DH Cabrera Braun Votto Beltran Posey Sandoval Uggla Furcal Cain

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 9, 2012

#AL lineup: Jeter Cano Hamilton Bautista Fielder Beltre Ortiz Napoli Granderson Verlander. @MLBONFOX

— Jon Morosi (@jonmorosi) July 9, 2012

OF Ryan Braun, OF Carlos Beltran and SS Rafael Furcal makeup the NL Central representatives, while SS Derek Jeter, 2B Robinson Cano, OF Jose Bautista, DH David Ortiz and OF Curtis Granderson all hail from the AL East.

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

Home Run Derby 2012: Contenstants, TV Schedule, Start Time And More

The MLB All-Star break festivities continue on Monday with the 2012 Home Run Derby. This year's competition features the following contestants:

American League
Robinson Cano (team captain)
Jose Bautista
Prince Fielder
Mark Trumbo

National League
Matt Kemp (team captain)
Carlos Beltran
Carlos Gonzalez
Andrew McCutchen

McCutchen is the replacement for Giancarlo Stanton, who has been forced to sit out the derby because of injury.

Cano won the 2011 Home Run Derby, edging Adrian Gonzalez of the Boston Red Sox. Prince Fielder won this competition back in 2009, when he was still with the Milwaukee Brewers. Matt Kemp and Jose Bautista both competed in 2011, though neither player advanced past the first round.

HR Derby Date & Time: Monday, June 9,7:00 p.m. CT

TV: ESPN

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

MLB All-Star Game 2012: Jake Peavy Is Headed To Kansas City For C.J. Wilson

White Sox starter Jake Peavy was beat out in the final vote for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game by Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish, but Chicago's 31-year old workhorse is going to Kansas City regardless. Peavy will make the All-Star Game as an injury replacement for Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim pitcher C.J. Wilson.

Peavy is 7-5 with a 2.85 ERA and 0.99 this season. The righty has been plagued by injuries since the White Sox acquired him in 2010, but he's been very dependable for the Sox this season. Peavy has thrown 120 innings and thrown four complete games over his 17 starts in 2012.

Peavy will join Chris Sale, Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn in representing the White Sox in Kansas City.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage of this series, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox. And for more general baseball coverage, head over to Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: Chris Sale Will Only Pitch 1 Inning, Unlikely To Start

Chicago White Sox starter Chris Sale has been by just about any measure one of the two best pitchers in the American League this season. He has the second lowest ERA in the AL, and is tied for second in lowest WHIP. In Baseball Reference's measure of WAR, he's tied for first with Detroit Tigers starter Justin Verlander, and by Fangraphs' measure of WAR he's in second, .3 wins behind Verlander. He's even tied for second in the AL in wins.

But Sale almost certainly won't be the AL's starting pitcher in the 2012 All-Star Game. That is because the White Sox are only allowing Sale to pitch a single inning in the All-Star Game, which almost certainly takes him out of the running to be the starter.

Sale won't be starting the ASG, according to RV, unless he only throws an inning. That is ASG limit--one inning

— Scott Merkin (@scottmerkin) July 7, 2012

AL manager Ron Washington could of course still decide to tab Sale as the starter and then pull him after the first inning, but in all likelihood Verlander will take the hill to start the game, with Sale coming in at some point in relief.

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

MLB All-Star Game Voting Results 2012: Jake Peavy's All-Star Bid Ends As Darvish Wins Final Vote

Chicago White Sox righty SP Jake Peavy made a strong bid for an appearance in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game, but the Japanese sensation SP Yu Darvish ultimately won out in the 2012 Final Vote.

Over the final hour of the public vote, conducing both at MLB.com and on Twitter via hashtags, Peavy made some impressive gains on Darvish, according to the MLB official Twitter account:

NON-TWITTER UPDATE - LAST HOUR: Peavy on top in AL w/33% more votes than Yu. Bourn and Harper tied for 2nd with their eyes on Freese.

— MLB (@MLB) July 5, 2012

But the Twitter presence of Darvish -- whose name was trending worldwide during the final hours of voting -- proved too much for the Peavy supporters:

And the #FinalVote winners are ... Yu Darvish and David Freese! Watch them in the #ASG on FOX on July 10. And thanks again for voting!

— MLB (@MLB) July 5, 2012

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

MLB All-Star Game Voting Results 2012: Jake Peavy Out-Pacing Yu Darvish In Final Voting

The Chicago White Sox are trying to get their veteran right-hander, SP Jake Peavy, to the All-Star Game. The 31-year-old Peavy is up for the Final Man vote, which allows fans to vote for the last roster spot on the AL and NL All-Star teams.

According to the MLB's official Twitter account, Peavy is gaining ground on the top vote-getter, rookie SP Yu Darvish:

NON-TWITTER UPDATE: Bourn officially in 2nd place in NL, closing in on Freese. Peavy continuing push, 61% more votes than Yu in last hour.

— MLB (@MLB) July 5, 2012

The voting concludes at 3:00 p.m. CDT on Thursday afternoon, and until that time, any tweet including the hastag #takejake will count as a vote towards Peavy.

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

MLB All-Star Game Voting Results 2012: Jake Peavy Still Trailing Yu Darvish On Final Day

Chicago White Sox starter Jake Peavy is still chasing Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish for the final spot on the American League All-Star team, as voting for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City continues up until the 3 p.m. deadline on Thursday. With less than eight hours to go, the race has tightened but Darvish still holds the lead with more than 40 million total votes already counted.

Here are the AL voting standings as of 7:46 a.m. CT from MLB.com. The final deadline for votes is 3 p.m. CT on Thursday afternoon.

American League
1. Yu Darvish (TEX) - #VoteYu
2. Jake Peavy (CWS) - #TakeJake
3. Jason Hammel (BAL) - #VoteHammel
4. Jonathan Broxton (KC) - #VoteBroxton
5. Ernesto Frieri (LAA) - #VoteFrieri

The White Sox currently have three representatives -- Chris Sale, Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn -- but Peavy still has a chance to make the roster as well. To vote for Peavy on Twitter, be sure to use the #TakeJake hashtag in your tweet to @MLB between the hours of 11 a.m. CT and the 3 p.m. deadline. You can also visit the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote page.

YOUR TWEETS COUNT: Use any player hashtag between 12-4 ET TODAY & your tweet will count in the official FINAL VOTE. This. Is. Happening.

— MLB (@MLB) July 5, 2012

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

2012 All-Stars: White Sox 1B Dan Johnson To Compete In Triple-A Home Run Derby

The Chicago White Sox may not have any players in the 2012 MLB Home Run Derby, but they will have a strong entrant in the Triple-A Home Run Derby. According the official Twitter account of the Charlotte Knights, 1B Dan Johnson will represent the White Sox Triple-A affiliate in the 2012 Triple-A Home Run Derby:

Good luck to Dan Johnson, who will be participating in the 2012 Triple-A HR Derby on July 9th in #Buffalo. Johnson won the #Derby in 2010.

— Charlotte Knights (@KnightsBaseball) July 3, 2012

Johnson signed a minor league deal with the White Sox as a free agent this past offseason after splitting parts of the previous three season with the Tampa Bay Rays. The powerful lefty is currently hitting .284/.431/.568 with 20 home runs in Triple-A.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to White Sox blog South Side Sox. And for more news and notes from around MLB, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

White Sox, Cardinals Team Up For All-Star Final Vote

The Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Cardinals have made an unlikely pairing. The teams from neighboring states have reportedly joined social media forces in hopes of getting SP Jake Peavy and 3B David Freese to the 2012 MLB All-Star Game.

Peavy, who sports a 2.96 ERA, and Freese, who owns a strong .286/.336/.482 slash with 14 home runs, are both up for the MLB All-Star Game Final Vote. Both teams are now encouraging fans to vote for both Peavy (in the AL) and Freese (in the NL) in a vote-sharing arrangement that should boost the chances both players. According to the latest accounts, Peavy is trailing Texas Rangers pitcher Yu Darvish by a "slim margin."

The White Sox will have at least three representatives at the All-Star Game. SP Chris Sale, 1B Paul Konerko and DH Adam Dunn have already received their invitations and will play the American League.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to White Sox blog South Side Sox. And for more news and notes from around MLB, visit Baseball Nation and MLB Daily Dish.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Voting Results: Jake Peavy Trailing Yu Darvish By Slim Margin

Voting for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game in Kansas City is still ongoing, and at the 42-hour mark of the 98-hour final voting period the league released standings for the final roster spots according to the current tally of fan votes. Although MLB did not provide actual vote totals on Tuesday morning, it was revealed that Chicago White Sox pitcher Jake Peavy trails Texas Rangers starter Yu Darvish by a "slim margin" with over 19 million total votes already cast on the 10 candidates in the final vote pool.

#FinalVote 1st round standings - AL: 1. Darvish 2. Peavy 3. Hammel 4. Frieri 5. Broxton. NL: 1. Chipper 2. Freese 3. Bryce 4. Hill 5. Bourn

— MLB (@MLB) July 3, 2012

Peavy is ranked 2nd in the first #FinalVote update. RT this and VOTE to #TakeJake to the All-Star Game! atmlb.com/Ljchvo

— Chicago White Sox (@whitesox) July 3, 2012

Chris Sale, Paul Konerko and Adam Dunn are the current White Sox representatives in the All-Star Game, but fans can help out Peavy by re-tweeting the message embedded above or by visiting the 2012 All-Star Game MLB.com Final Vote page.

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

MLB All-Star Game Voting Results: Are Starlin Castro And Bryan LaHair Deserving Selections Considering Their Positions?

2012 MLB All-Star Game: Jake Peavy Selected As Final Vote Candidate

While the Chicago White Sox will be represented in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game by Paul Konerko, Chris Sale and Adam Dunn, there is a chance that another member of the team could be selected. Jake Peavy, who has been excellent despite having only a 6-5 record, is one of five players who has been selected as a Final Vote candidate.

According to the Chicago Sun-Times, the Final Vote candidate will be selected by fans, who have until Thursday to vote:

The vote gives fans the opportunity to select the final player on each All-Star team. The balloting has begun and continues through Thursday at 3 p.m. Central time.

The American League candidates are all pitchers: Peavy, Kansas City's Jonathan Broxton, Texas' Yu Darvish, Baltimore's Jason Hammel, and Los Angeles Angels' Ernesto Frier.

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

2012 MLB All-Star Game: Starlin Castro, Bryan LaHair Represent Cubs On NL Roster

The Chicago Cubs are sending two players, shortstop Starlin Castro and outfielder Bryan LaHair, to this year's MLB All Star Game, as the rosters for the game were announced on Sunday afternoon. Both players made the roster as reserves, as Rafael Furcal beat out Castro for the starter's spot.

The 22-year-old Castro is building quite the resume, one that already includes two All-Star Game appearances and a hit title last season. His offensive numbers have dropped somewhat this season, with a .298/.319/.432 line over 332 plate appearances, although his defensive metrics and stolen base figures have improved.

LaHair is making the season in his first year as a legitimate starter at the tender age of 29. He's hit .284/.364/.526 with 13 homers over 239 plate appearances this season, although he's currently being supplanted at first base in Chicago by Anthony Rizzo.

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

2012 MLB All Star Game: Paul Konerko, Adam Dunn Also Representing White Sox On AL Roster

We already knew that Chris Sale would be receiving the honor, but it's since been announced by MLB that two more players from the Chicago White Sox, first baseman Paul Konerko and designated hitter Adam Dunn, are part of the AL roster for this year's game.

Konerko was a no-brainer for this year's roster, with some noting that he was probably deserving of the starting spot at first base over Detroit's Prince Fielder. The 36-year-old will be making his sixth career All Star Game appearance after hitting .336/.413/.556 with 14 homers and 40 RBI over 293 plate appearances so far this season.

The appearance may be sweeter for Dunn, though, after the miserable struggles he went through last season. After posting historically bad numbers in 2011, he's rebounded to hit .213/.363/.515 with 24 homers over 339 PA's this year, the third-highest figure in the big leagues.

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

2012 MLB All Star Game: Chicago's Chris Sale Makes Team In First Year As Starter

While the full rosters for this year's MLB All Star Game are being announced this afternoon, teammates were seen congratulating Chicago White Sox starter Chris Sale for making the team before Sunday afternoon's game, as Jon Heyman of CBS Sports reports.

Chris sale was just congratulated by teammate for making the all-star team. Teams are announced this afternoon. #chisox

— Jon Heyman (@JonHeymanCBS) July 1, 2012

Chicago's first round pick in 2010, Sale spent last season in the bullpen before converting to the rotation this spring. It's led to a breakout for the 23-year-old, who has posted a 2.27 ERA with 94 strikeouts and 24 walks over 95.1 innings with the White Sox this season.

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Selection Show: Time, TV Schedule And More

The 2012 MLB Season is nearing its midpoint as players, coaches and front office personnel are preparing for the 2012 All-Star Break. But before the regular season pauses for its annual celebration of talent, the league has to announce who will actually participate in the 2012 MLB All-Star Game.

This season, the announcement will come via a TBS special on Sunday afternoon, the Major League Baseball All-Star Game Selection Show presented by Taco Bell, followed by the series conclusion of the Chicago White Sox versus the New York Yankees. Here's a look at the details for the event:

Channel: TBS

Time: 12:00 p.m. CDT, Sunday, July 1

First Pitch: 1:00 p.m CDT

For more news and updates from around the league, drop by Baseball Nation with Rob Neyer. And for a closer look at the numbers and analysis behind the game, visit the sabermetrics blog Beyond the Box Score or keep up to date with the league's transactions at MLB Daily Dish.

2012 MLB All Star Game Voting: Paul Konerko Emerges As No. 2 First Baseman In AL

Chicago White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko has moved into second place among American League first baseman in voting for the upcoming MLB All Star Game. On Monday, the league released the newest round of voting results for next month's big game, which features three different White Sox players.

Other than Konerko, catcher A.J. Pierzynski and designated hitter Adam Dunn also appeared among the top five vote-getters at their respective positions. Here are the current voting results for those three positions, via MLB.com:

FIRST BASE
Prince Fielder, Tigers: 1,946,045
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 1,680,793
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 1,405,187
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 1,202,724
Albert Pujols, Angels: 1,047,722

CATCHER
Mike Napoli, Rangers: 2,239,047
Joe Mauer, Twins: 1,283,804
Matt Wieters, Orioles: 1,242,247
A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox: 1,048,603
Russell Martin, Yankees: 867,495

DESIGNATED HITTER
David Ortiz, Red Sox: 2,390,132
Michael Young, Rangers: 1,892,150
Raul Ibañez, Yankees: 1,080,421
Adam Dunn, White Sox: 979,447
Edwin Encarnación, Blue Jays: 830,341

At this point, it's essentially impossible to imagine that Dunn or Pierzynski will be able to land the necessary votes to start in the game, but Konerko has a reasonable shot if he can maintain the stunning numbers he's put up so far. Fielder certainly has more of that "star appeal" but fans are clearly noticing what Paulie has accomplished this year.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox. For more from around Major League Baseball, head over to Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Voting Leaders: Starlin Castro 3rd Among N.L. Shortstops

Two Chicago Cubs players rank in the top five at their position in the first balloting update for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game. Shortstop Starlin Castro is third among National League shortstops, trailing Colorado's Troy Tulowitzki by 397,000 votes. The Cubs' Bryan LaHair is fourth among N.L. first basemen, trailing Cincinnati's reigning MVP Joey Votto by 923,000 votes.

Here's a look at N.L. voting at catcher and shortstop:

SHORTSTOP
Troy Tulowitzki, Rockies: 823,708
Rafael Furcal, Cardinals: 803,254
Starlin Castro, Cubs: 526,811
Jose Reyes, Marlins: 425,682
Alex Gonzalez, Brewers: 399,218

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: 457,590

Though the North Siders currently boast the second worst record in baseball, they'll have at least one All-Star, due to the rules of the game.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, head over to Cubs blog Bleed Cubbie Blue. For more from around Major League Baseball, visit Baseball Nation.

2012 MLB All-Star Game Voting Leaders: White Sox's Paul Konerko, A.J. Pierzynski Among Top 5 At Their Position

The first wave of polling updates for the 2012 MLB All-Star Game was released on Tuesday, with two Chicago White Sox players cracking the top five at their position. First baseman Paul Konerko is third in the A.L. despite leading the league in batting average. A.J. Pierzynski, who is quietly off to what might be the best start of his career, is fifth among American League catchers.

Here's a look at voting at first base and catcher:

FIRST BASE
Prince Fielder, Tigers: 1,027,070
Mark Teixeira, Yankees: 697,602
Paul Konerko, White Sox: 671,430
Mitch Moreland, Rangers: 618,226
Albert Pujols, Angels: 478,020

CATCHER
Mike Napoli, Rangers: 1,224,565
Matt Wieters, Orioles: 713,469
Joe Mauer, Twins: 637,364
Russell Martin, Yankees: 431,435
A.J. Pierzynski, White Sox: 424,646

One name notably absent is Adam Dunn, who doesn't rank in the top five at designated hitter. Dunn has 17 homers, 46 walks and an impressive OPS of .912 through 55 games this season.

For updates, stay tuned to SB Nation Chicago. For more in-depth coverage, visit White Sox blog South Side Sox.