What happened: The first official return for the 2026 MLB All-Star Game ballot shows a tight race at National League first base. Freddie Freeman leads the field with 870,606 votes, followed closely by Matt Olson with 802,848 tallies.

Why it matters: Securing a top-two finish in Phase 1 is critical, as only the finalists advance to the final round to determine the starting lineup. Freeman is aiming for his 10th career selection, while Olson looks to capitalize on a powerful start to the season to earn his first All-Star start.

What to watch: Fans can continue to vote daily through June 25 before the Phase 2 finalists are announced.