Miami ace Alcantara, DH Cooper join Jazz as NL All-Stars
Marlins right-hander Sandy Alcantara is arguably the best pitcher in the Major Leagues, and for good reason. He has a 1.73 ERA and leads the Majors in innings pitched and complete games.
It’s no surprise to anyone that Alcantara was named to the National League All-Star squad on Sunday afternoon. He will join teammate Jazz Chisholm Jr. -- who won the fan vote to be the NL's starting second baseman but won't play due to injury -- as the Marlins' representatives in the Midsummer Classic on July 19 at Dodger Stadium.
Two days later, Garrett Cooper earned his first career All-Star selection as the injury replacement for the Phillies' Bryce Harper. Cooper was the next NL designated hitter in line via the Player Ballot.
• MLB All-Star Game presented by Mastercard: July 19 on FOX
It marks the second career All-Star selection for Alcantara, who pitched a scoreless inning in the 2019 All-Star Game at Progressive Field.
“Second All-Star Game. I feel so happy for [myself] because they know the job I have been doing,” Alcantara said. “I think I deserve it. I have to go there, have fun and enjoy the game.”
Alcantara is a rare breed these days. He has pitched at least seven innings in each of his last 12 starts dating back to May 11, including seven scoreless frames in Miami's 2-0 win over the Mets on Sunday. It is the longest such streak by a Marlins pitcher since Carl Pavano pitched at least seven innings in 13 straight starts in 2004. No wonder he is called the ace of Miami’s pitching staff. In fact, according to Marlins manager Don Mattingly, Alcantara does more than just pitch every fifth day.
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“Every time he pitches, your bullpen gets a day off,” the skipper said. “He has thrown seven, eight innings every time out it seems like. The next day, the bullpen is fresh.
“He's been a leader in the clubhouse. When you have a guy like that every fifth day, you feel like you are going to win and this guy is going to keep you in the game. It’s like a good effect on your club. I had the same thing in Los Angeles with [Clayton] Kershaw. I felt like every time he pitched, we were going to win.”
Mets manager Buck Showalter said opposing hitters know what Alcantara is going to throw and they still can’t seem to touch him.
“Everybody knows what he is going to do and he does it anyway,” Showalter said. “It’s not like he is going to break something out that is new [or] different and [you] didn’t see that coming.”
Marlins general manager Kim Ng called Alcantara a throwback. He has easily been worth the five-year, $56 million extension he received this past offseason. By giving him that contract, the Marlins thought he could reach his potential.
“What he has done has been phenomenal,” Ng said. “When you compare him to many of the pitchers out there, what he has been able to string together over this long a period of time has been tremendous. He is starting to become a household name.”
The Dominican-born Alcantara made it known after the Marlins' victory over the Mets that he would like to be the National League starting pitcher. A decision probably will not be made until the day before the game.
“It would mean a lot to start,” he said. “That would be my first time starting in an All-Star Game. I think it’s going to be great for me, my country and my team. Let’s see what they say.”