Reds send All-Star Andrew Abbott to the mound vs. Marlins

Andrew Abbott thought he’d be showing the rest of the National League what they’d be missing when he takes the mound for the Cincinnati Reds in the third game of their four-game series against the visiting Miami Marlins on Wednesday night.

Despite having one of the lowest ERAs in the majors, Abbott (7-1, 2.15) was left off the initial All-Star team that was announced Sunday.

But the left-hander learned during Tuesday’s contest against Miami that he’d been selected to replace Los Angeles Dodgers starter Yoshinobu Yamamoto for next Tuesday’s All-Star Game in Atlanta.

Yamamoto would be ineligible to pitch in the game because he’s scheduled to start Sunday, while Abbott should be plenty rested.

Abbott learned he’s the first left-handed starting pitcher for the Reds to make an All-Star team since John Smiley in 1995 just as teammate Matt McLain was circling the bases after hitting a first-inning home run against Miami.

Most of the Reds were still congratulating Abbott when McLain reached the dugout.

Cincinnati went on to lose 12-2, its fourth straight loss to match a season high, but Reds manager Terry Francona called it a “wonderful” moment when Abbott learned he was selected.

“He’s very deserving,” Francona said. “His teammates were thrilled for him and, on a tough night, that was the one really bright shining spot for us.”

Abbott would have the fourth-best ERA in the majors if he hadn’t missed the first two weeks of the season because of a shoulder strain, leaving him just a few innings short of qualifying.

Abbott entered his most recent start with an even lower ERA (1.79), but he endured his shortest outing of the season. He allowed four runs and nine hits in 3 1/3 innings and failed to earn the win in a 9-6 victory against the Philadelphia Phillies last Friday.

Still, the Reds are 11-4 in games he’s started this season, compared with 35-41 when he doesn’t, and Abbott is 4-0 following a Cincinnati loss. He’ll face a team that has won 11 straight road games.

“We can hang with anyone, and we can beat anyone if we play this brand of baseball,” Miami third baseman Connor Norby said. “We’re starting to figure out our identity, and that’s what’s cool.”

Right-hander Sandy Alcantara is set to start on Wednesday for the Marlins. Alcantara (4-8, 7.01 ERA) had a decent June after struggling in April and May, but his past two outings — both no-decisions — have been subpar.

The 2022 NL Cy Young Award winner allowed seven runs and 10 hits over six innings in his team’s 8-7 win over the Arizona Diamondbacks on June 28, and then surrendered five runs and five hits in six innings of the Marlins’ 6-5 loss to the Milwaukee Brewers last Friday.

Alcantara has made eight appearances against the Reds in his career, including six starts, and is 2-4 with a 3.22 ERA in those games. He last faced them on April 23 and took the loss after giving up three runs and five hits in six innings of a 5-2 defeat in Miami.

-Field Level Media