Ron Chenoy-USA TODAY Sports
The Mets should be happy to see the calendar flip to August next week; it means they’re one month closer to postseason baseball.
Starling Marte, however, probably wishes it would still be July for a while longer.
The first year Met continued his sizzling month with a three-hit game in Friday’s win, falling just a double short of the cycle.
In 18 games this month, Marte is slashing an incredible .397/.443/.630 with four home runs, 10 runs batted in, and five walks. While his power numbers and ability to drive runners in may not jump off the page, what he has done better than anyone else in the league lately is be a pure hitter. In fact, Marte has been held hitless in just two games all month.
Since the All-Star break ended, Marte has multi-hit games in four of the five games he’s played in. Over the full month, his number of multi-hit games stretches to 11. After beginning the month with a respectable .279 average on the year, his July heroics have ballooned that number to now .305.
His teammates are taking notice as well.
“He’s on a roll right now…Something you dream about doing when you’re in the big leagues,” said Brandon Nimmo. “Just keep riding that wave buddy, as long as you can.”
Earlier in the week, Marte was the man-of-the-hour in Wednesday’s win over the Yankees, delivering the walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth. His solo home run the prior day against the Yanks put the Mets on the board and ignited their first inning rally.
When a player goes on such a hot streak, sometimes all you can do is tip your cap at their sheer talent.
Steve Gelbs did an excellent job summarizing what we’re all likely thinking.
I knew Starling Marte was good, but until I saw him play every day, I didn’t really appreciate how good. What an electric, difference-maker.
— Steve Gelbs (@SteveGelbs) July 29, 2022
While Marte’s July has especially been notable, it’s no fluke. The outfielder has been one of the team’s best hitters since first coming to New York – literally. In his first home game in the orange and blue, Marte went 3-for-5 with three runs scored and a home run in the Mets’ 10-3 drubbing of the Diamondbacks on April 15.
Formerly an All-Star during his tenure with the Pirates, Marte now has his sights set on larger goals.
Having his name at least thrown into the MVP conversation.
And then, of course, the postseason. With limited playoff experience in Pittsburgh, Marte has never made it past the Division Series round.
If the Mets play deep into October, Marte will undoubtedly have an impact.
