CJ Abrams Can Make Nationals/Expos History With All-Star Nod Washington Nationals shortstop CJ Abrams is on the verge of securing his second All-Star selection, a milestone that could etch his name into the franchise’s history books. The Nationals, formerly the Montreal Expos, have long struggled to produce All-Star shortstops, but Abrams’ elite season has positioned him as the most likely candidate to break that drought. With a .293 batting average, 12 home runs, 47 RBIs, nine stolen bases, and the highest OPS (.919) among qualified shortstops, Abrams has dominated the National League’s shortstop position this season. Abrams’ performance has placed him in a tight race for the All-Star starting spot, with Miami Marlins shortstop Otto Lopez as his primary competitor. Lopez leads in batting average (.332) and is also a strong contender for the starting role. However, Abrams holds the edge in key advanced metrics, including on-base percentage (.381) and slugging percentage (.522), while tying with Cincinnati Reds shortstop Elly De La Cruz in home runs (12) and hits (65). De La Cruz, however, is sidelined with a right hamstring strain, reducing the competition to a duel between Abrams and Lopez. The Nationals’ historical context adds significance to Abrams’ potential All-Star nod. Since the Expos joined Major League Baseball in 1969, only seven shortstops have earned All-Star selections, including Trea Turner (2021), Ian Desmond (2012), Wil Cordero (1994), Hubie Brooks (1986 and 1987), and Cristian Guzmán (2008). None of these players were named the starting shortstop, leaving a void in the franchise’s All-Star history. Abrams, if selected as the starting shortstop, would become the first Expos/Nationals player to achieve that honor. MLB.#washington_nationals #cj_abrams #elly_de_la_cruz #otto_lopez #montreal_expos
Reds vs. Marlins Odds, Prediction, and Line: 2026 MLB Picks for April 9 from Proven Model The Miami Marlins aim to split the four-game series against the Cincinnati Reds in the final matchup of the 2026 season, set for Thursday afternoon at loanDepot Park in Miami. The Reds, who entered the game with an 8-4 record, had their five-game winning streak snapped in a 7-4 loss to the Marlins on Wednesday. The Reds, now 5-1 on the road this season, face a challenge against a Marlins team that has won six of its last seven games at home. The Marlins, with a 7-5 record, are looking to capitalize on their momentum after ending a two-game losing streak. The game is scheduled for 12:10 p.m. ET, with the Reds holding a slight edge in the all-time series, 139-107. However, the Marlins have dominated the recent matchups, winning five of the last seven games against Cincinnati. The money line odds favor the Marlins as -128 favorites, meaning bettors would need to risk $128 to win $100, while the Reds are listed as +109 underdogs, offering a higher payout for a $100 bet. The over/under for total runs is set at 8, with SportsLine’s model projecting the game to exceed that total. SportsLine’s computer model, which has a track record of profitability in MLB betting, simulated the Reds vs. Marlins matchup 10,000 times and identified key trends. The model’s analysis suggests the Marlins, who rank fourth in the league in offense with a .262 team batting average, are poised to outscore the Reds. The Marlins have scored 59 runs in 12 games, the sixth-highest total in baseball, while the Reds, who scored 716 runs in 2025, are expected to contribute significantly to the offensive output. The model’s projections highlight the Marlins’ strong offensive potential, with their lineup expected to generate over 1.#loandepot_park #miami_marlins #cincinnati_reds #otto_lopez #jakob_marsee
