Albert Pujols trails Milwaukee's Prince Fielder by a little more than 23,000 votes. (Charlie Riedel/AP)

ST. LOUIS -- If Albert Pujols is to be a starter for the fifth time this year, he needs some help. Pujols has fallen to second place among National League first basemen in the latest balloting update.

The 78th All-Star Game will be played on July 10 in San Francisco.

The Cardinals slugger, who has come on strong in June after a slow start by his standards, trails Milwaukee's Prince Fielder. He has been voted in as a starter three times, including twice at first base. Pujols also served as the National League's starting designated hitter in the 2005 All-Star Game, when he was beaten out by Derrek Lee at first base.

Three days of in-stadium balloting remain at Busch Stadium. Ballots will be handed out through Wednesday's game against the Royals. That means that not only Cardinals fans, but KC partisans who know Pujols from his high school days can punch his name on the voting cards.

Fans can cast their votes for starters up to 25 times with the Monster 2007 All-Star Online Ballot at MLB.com and all 30 club sites until June 28 at 10:59 p.m. CT.


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