Even Dodgers fans have to admit NL All-Star voting is getting out of hand

Unsurprisingly, MLB's first All-Star voting update features an overwhelming number of Los Angeles Dodgers players, either leading their respective categories or trailing just behind the leader.

Freddie Freeman, Max Muncy, Shohei Ohtani, and Andy Pages are in first place among National League first basemen, third basemen, designated hitters, and outfielders, respectively.

Will Smith is running in second behind Drake Baldwin at catcher, Mookie Betts is behind Washington Nationals infielder CJ Abrams at shortstop, and Teoscar Hernández ranks fifth among all NL outfielders. All three will advance to the second round of voting if they maintain these places.

Dodgers haters immediately lined up to complain about the LA overrepresentation. Although we hate to agree with them, the Dodgers fans who have been voting five times a day for Betts need to reconsider their actions.

Dodgers look to be overrepresented at this year's MLB All-Star Game

Look, we love Betts. Everyone loves Betts. He's a likable guy and an easy player to root for, even if you happen to hate the Dodgers with a burning passion. But how could you possibly make the argument, in good conscience, that he's having an All-Star caliber season?

He had a good series against the Chicago White Sox over the weekend — at least at the plate — so maybe the turnaround is coming. But it took until June 14 for him to raise his batting average over .200 for the first time all season. His 0-for-3 performance on Tuesday dropped it closer to the Mendoza line once again.

All-Star voting will never be unbiased as long as fans are involved, but we're not even asking that fans try to be as unbiased as possible. All we're asking for is a little bit of common sense, good faith voting. Voting for Betts because he's a fan favorite and nice guy doesn't meet either of those very low bars.

Sure, Betts isn't leading voting right now, but he's way too close to Abrams, who has literally wielded one of the best bats in baseball this year. And please, keep any obtuse "if other fans cared so much they would vote more" arguments to yourself. The Dodgers are an international brand; the Nationals aren't. That shouldn't negate Abrams' ability to get an All-Star nod based on achievement alone.

Loyalty is a great thing, but there's no reason it should be this blind. We love Betts, but he shouldn't be going to Philly this year.

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