David Wright has surpassed Pablo Sandoval in the National League All-Star voting, giving him a good chance to start at third base next month.

The All-Star Game is being held at Citi Field in Queens.

Wright has 2,917,819 votes, besting Sandoval's 2,788,988 votes.

Mariano Rivera, preparing to pitch in his final All-Star Game, says he would prefer to close for the American League squad.

It's possible that Tigers manager Jim Leyland could name Rivera his starter for next month's exhibition contest.

"I've been told about it, but I don't like it," Rivera said. "And the reason why I say that is it's not what I do. What I do is close the games, I don't start the games. It's a privilege and honor, but I'm not contemplating it."

Rivera, 43, is currently tied for the MLB lead in saves (26) with Baltimore's Jim Johnson and Pittsburgh's Jason Grilli. Rivera has blown just one save opportunity this season and has a 1.61 ERA.

Adam Jones and Mike Trout are well ahead in the American League All-Star voting, meaning the two outfielders are all but assured of a spot on the team.

The race for the third and final starting spot, however, is tight.

Outfield Votes
Adam Jones, Orioles 3,571,693
Mike Trout, Angels 3,548,195
Nick Markakis, Orioles 1,915,860
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays 1,867,367
Torii Hunter, Tigers 1,851,657

Markakis, Bautista and Hunter all have a legitimate shot at starting.

Voting ends on July 4th.

A Mets official approached a dating website that pairs older women with younger men, seeking to promote David Wright's All-Star candidacy.

The Mets ultimately backed out of a potential partnership.

Wright was recently named "MLB's Hottest Cub" through a vote of more than 11,000 respondents on the dating website Cougarlife.com.

He currently trails Pablo Sandoval in the voting to start at third base for the National League.

The Mets host the All-Star Game on July 16 at Citi Field.

David Wright of the Mets and Robinson Cano of the Yankees have been named captains of the National League and American League squads for the 2013 Home Run Derby.

Cano won the event in 2011 in Phoenix, while Wright will be participating for the first time since a performance in 2006. 

The 2013 Home Run Derby will be held Monday, July 15 at Citi Field in New York.