What happened: Phase 2 of American League All-Star voting opens Monday, June 29, at noon ET and runs through Thursday, July 2. Vote totals reset for the finalists in this round. The Athletics are pushing fans to back their players on the final ballot.

Why it matters: An All-Star nod is a marquee individual honor that shapes how a player's season is remembered and can carry weight in future contract talks. For the Athletics, a finalist gives the fan base a clear rooting interest through the first half of the schedule.

What to watch: Phase 2 voting closes Thursday, July 2, with the All-Star starters revealed shortly after the window shuts.