Ketel

Marte

The Diamondbacks need either the Mets or Braves to sweep the doubleheader Monday, so just in case this is the last time we get to talk about Marte: Good job. The switch-hitter ends the regular season with 36 homers, 95 RBI and a .927 OPS. Marte shouldn’t be counted on to be this good in 2025, but there’s plenty of reason for optimism for the 30-year-old going forward.

Manager Torey Lovullo said Marte, who is still having some trouble with his left ankle, was overdue for a night off. Kevin Newman is playing second base tonight.

It’s a curious decision considering the Diamondbacks are only up two games for one of the NL Wild Card spots. Marte had missed time with an ankle injury earlier in the month, so perhaps the team just wanted to give him a day off to ensure his complete health. Whatever the case may be, Kevin Newman will bat eighth and start at second base on Monday.

Marte is scorching with the bat right now, and this makes three straight games that he’s gone deep. It also extends his career-high total to 35, and he drew a walk and scored another run for good measure. Marte won’t come close to winning the MVP because of that one guy on the Dodgers and because he missed a decent amount of time, but it wouldn’t be a surprised if he received down votes for his work in 2024.

Marte’s home run was his 34th of the year. He hit a two-run shot off Joe Ross in the ninth inning. Marte’s previous career-high in home runs was 32 set in 2019. He’s hitting .296 with a .937 OPS and 92 RBI on the year and is the catalyst for the Diamondbacks as they close in on another playoff appearance.

Marte also drew a walk. The homer came in the first inning to give Arizona a 1-0 lead. That’s now 33 on the year for the 30-year-old, and that’s a new career high for the underrated source of power. Marte and the Diamondbacks are closing in on a postseason appearance, and he deserves a lot of credit for that accomplishment. Don’t forget how good he was in last year’s playoff run, either.

Marte isn’t injured, but Diamondbacks manager Torey Lovullo mentioned being careful with the star second baseman given the altitude in Colorado. We expect Marte to be back in the Arizona lineup Wednesday. He’s hitting .292 with 32 home runs and 87 RBI this year.

Marte didn’t welcome Antonio Senzatela back very kindly, as he absolutely blistered a homer that traveled and estimated 460 feet to give the Diamondbacks a 2-0 lead with no outs in the first. That’d be the last run Arizona would score in the game. Marte has now tied his career high homers in homers with 32, and his 87 RBI are just five short of tying his top mark, as well.

Marte’s home run was his 31st of the season. He hit a three-run shot off Cody Bradford in the fourth inning. These were Marte’s first hits since coming off the injured list on September 6th. The home run was his first since August 10th. Despite the time missed due to injury, he’s still having a great season. Marte is hitting .295 with a .925 OPS and 85 RBI on the year.

Marte will get a day off, and the same can be said for Christian Walker. Both players were activated off the injured list Friday, so this appears to just be maintenance for both players as they get ready for the home stretch. Josh Bell gets the start at first with Joc Pederson the DH, and Luis Guillorme is starting at second.