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.

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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.¡±

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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.

¡°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.¡±