Mets' bats beat up on Shota Imanaga in series-opening fireworks show at Wrigley
The offense exploded for 14 hits and 11 runs in Chicago. Plus, a case for the Mets to retain JD Martínez beyond 2024
What’s Up with the Mets? ⚾️
The Mets got plenty of offense early to beat the Cubs 11-1 in the opening game of the series at Wrigley Field on Friday afternoon (box)
LHP José Quintana worked through some early struggles to deliver 6.1 innings of one-run ball, allowing four hits with one walk and eight strikeouts
DH J.D. Martinez stayed hot with a three-run homer to get New York on the board in the first inning
C Francisco Álvarez continued to rake with a solo shot in the second inning
OF Brandon Nimmo quickly followed that up with a two-run blast of his own as the Mets got to Shota Imanaga early, shelling the Cubs LHP for three home runs in just two innings
2B Jose Iglesias went 4-for-5 with three RBIs and one run scored and continues to make the second base job his own
SS Francisco Lindor continues to excel in the leadoff spot, finishing 3-for-5 with a double and two runs scored
RHP Adam Ottavino entered the game in the seventh and allowed one hit and two walks while striking out three over 1.2 scoreless innings
RHP Drew Smith delivered a scoreless ninth inning, allowing just one hit while striking out two to get the job done
The Mets hit three home runs in a single game for the 11th time this season, and 10 or more runs in a game for the sixth time this year and third time in the last five games
New York has now won 12 of its last 15 games - the best record in MLB over that stretch. Their run differential is now positive at +3 for the season
RHP Luis Severino won’t pitch against former team the Yankees in the Subway Series. Instead, he’ll now pitch on normal rest against the Cubs on Sunday. The Mets prefer Severino’s ability to neutralize the Cubs right-handed hitters and Peterson’s strength against the Yankees left-handed hitters
Injury Updates 🏥
RHP Grant Hartwig had surgery on Friday to repair a torn meniscus in his left knee. He’s estimated to be out 6-8 weeks
Roster Moves 🗞️
C Luis Torrens was placed on the paternity list for 1-3 days
C Joe Hudson was recalled from Triple-A Syracuse
OF Duke Ellis was claimed off waivers from the White Sox and optioned to Double-A Binghamton
Did you know? 🙋🏻♂️
Since April 5, the Mets are 17-2 in games when Francisco Álvarez plays, and 17-31 when he does not
Who’s Hot 🔥
LHP José Quintana is 2-0 with a 1.46 ERA, 14 K and three BB over his last two outings. He also owns a 3.86 ERA over his last seven starts
Over the last seven days alone, J.D. Martinez is hitting .400/.539/.900/.1.439 with three homers and eight RBIs
SS Francisco Lindor is hitting .294/.364/.529/.893 with 20 hits, seven doubles, three homers, four stolen bases and eight RBIs in the month of June so far
In 11 games in June, 2B Jose Iglesias is hitting .464/.516/.536/.1.052 with six RBIs and two doubles
C Francisco Álvarez has been red-hot since coming off the IL, and he’s 8-for-16 with five RBIs in his last four games
Mets offense, since May 30… ⚡️
MLB ranks
121 runs scored (2nd)
.295 batting average (1st)
.362 OBP (1st)
.500 SLG (2nd)
.862 OPS (1st)
148 wRC+ (1st)
42 doubles (3rd)
Down on the Farm 🌾
RHP José Buttó (Triple-A): 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 7 K, 1 HR
3B Brett Baty (Triple-A): 1-for-3, 1 R, 1 RBI
RHP Kade Morris (High-A): 6.0 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR
BOX SCORES
Single-A STL | High-A BRK | Double-A BNG | Triple-A SYR
Today’s Game 🗓
Match-up: Mets (36-38) @ Cubs (36-40)
Where: Wrigley Field - Chicago, IL
Starters: RHP Tylor Megill (2-3, 3.52 ERA) vs. RHP Jameson Taillon (3-3, 3.08 ERA)
When: 2:20 PM EDT
Where to Watch: SNY, FS1
Making the case for J.D. Martinez to stick long-term with the Mets ✍️
Rewind back to the offseason and you will remember that the Mets fanbase was united in support of one particular cause.
That cause was J.D. Martinez.
It felt as if every single Mets fan on the planet wanted to see the slugger on their team, and their wishes were eventually granted.
Looking back now, it is easy to understand why there was such a collective longing and craving for the six-time All-Star to end up in Queens.
I’ve always loved watching Martinez because of his mesmerizing mastery at the plate, his ability to put balls in play and the ease in which he is able to absolutely destroy the hell out of baseballs.
Through June, we’ve seen all of those qualities and attributes in abundance from Martinez in a Mets uniform.
And, as the slugger continues to help lead a red-hot Mets offense, it is only normal to start thinking about the bigger picture.
No matter what happens the rest of the way in 2024, the Mets need to make Martinez their DH heading into 2025.
Currently signed to a one-year, $12 million contract, Martinez has proved that he’s still got plenty left in the tank, even at 36-years-old. As a full-time DH, age shouldn’t really be a factor. I mean, David Ortiz was still blasting 38 homers a year at 40-years-old.
And, if the Mets figure to be more competitive in 2025, then it makes all the sense in the world to bring Martinez back as the full-time DH.
After all, just look at his production in a Mets uniform up to this point.
He’s currently hitting .287/.359/.511/.870 with nine home runs, 11 doubles, 18 walks and 31 RBIs. He’s been scorching hot over the last couple of weeks, including driving in four RBIs against the Cubs on Friday.
He has a 1.037 OPS with 19 RBI over his last 18 games.
Martinez was responsible for getting the party started at Wrigley on Friday, launching a three-run home run in the first inning. That set the stage for an avalanche of runs to follow, with the Mets chasing the hugely-impressive Shota Imanaga out of the game. As a result, Imanaga saw his ERA climb dramatically from 1.89 to 2.96. For context, Imanaga had allowed a total of five earned runs in his first nine starts combined. He was also pitching to a 1.31 ERA at Wrigley prior to Friday.
Martinez helped start Imanaga’s Friday downfall.
Anyway, back to the masher.
Heading into yesterday’s game, Martinez ranked 6th in fWAR among DHs with a minimum of 100 at bats, despite playing in just 47 games (now 48). His wRC+ of 146 placed him in the top five in the league, and his .282 average trailed only Shohei Ohtani, Marcell Ozuna and Joc Pederson. Remember, those numbers were prior to Friday’s game. They probably look even better now.
It is hardly a secret that the Mets have craved a legitimate designated hitter for the longest time. They finally have their man in Martinez. And he should be their guy for 2025 too.
Again, if the Mets really want to compete next year, then why wouldn’t you want Martinez’s production from the DH spot? His presence in the lineup in 2025 shouldn’t take playing time away from anyone else, especially if Pete Alonso leaves in Free Agency or is dealt at the trade deadline. In that scenario, Mark Vientos would shift over to first base and that would leave third base open for Brett Baty or Ronny Mauricio.
And, if Alonso isn’t destined to spend the rest of his career in Queens, then you for sure want Martinez’s big bat and raw power in the lineup in 2025.
Overall, Martinez has been an absolute revelation as the full-time designated hitter for the Mets. He can hit for power, he can hit for average, he offers great lineup protection and he’s shown time and time again an ability to hit in the clutch and produce big hit after big hit.
If I’m president of baseball operations David Stearns, I’m keeping hold of Martinez at the deadline and offering him an extension to once again be the team’s full-time DH in 2025.
That would be a home run of a move by the front office.
Around the League 🚩
Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani blasted a mammoth 455-ft home run with an exit velo of 113 mph against his former team the Angels
Former Met Jarred Kelenic led the way with two hits from the leadoff spot as the Braves beat the Yankees, 8-1 in the Bronx
Jake Cronenworth went 5-for-5 with a homer and two RBIs as the Padres beat the Brewers, 9-5
The Astros outlasted the Orioles in a wild 14-11 win, thanks in part to a three RBI night from Will Meyers and a nine-run sixth inning
Jeimer Candelario continued his scorching June with a pair of homers in the Reds’ 5-2 victory over the Red Sox
OF Lane Thomas went 3-for-6 with a double, a triple, four RBIs and two runs scored to help the Nationals beat the Rockies, 11-5
What kind of deal would Martinez seek?
Flying so high, trying to remember, how many June swoons I've previously lived through