J.D. Martinez has been a great asset to the Boston Red Sox. He also had a big home run in the ALDS. You’ll continue to see him do well in the ALCS.
The Boston Red Sox have found they’re next power hitter. J.D. Martinez has had a great season. Martinez led the majors in RBIs. He also finished second in batting average, and in home runs.
In the ALDS against the Yankees, he went 5-for-14 with a home run, six RBIs, and three walks. The Sox have been missing a power hitter since David Ortiz retired. Singing Martinez in the offseason to bring that power sure has paid off. It will continue to pay off for the Sox in the ALCS against the Houston Astros.
For the first time since 2013, the Red Sox are in the American League Championship Series. Martinez finished with 43 home run this season, 130 RBI’s, and an OPS of 173. Without his home run in Game 1 of the ALDS, the Sox may not have won that game.
Now with the ALCS starting, he may be needed in a clutch situation at the plate. The Red Sox were missing that Ortiz-type bat in the playoffs but they may have that with Martinez.
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Martinez will be going up against Justin Verlander on Saturday night for Game 1 of the series. He hasn’t seen Verlander much, only getting three at-bats against him, with two hits, two RBI’s and one strikeout. He hasn’t struck out yet this postseason.
Martinez is a much better hitter against the Game 2 starter Gerrit Cole. In ten at-bats, he has three hits, one home run, two RBIs, and an average of .300.
Also in Martinez’s favor is Alex Cora, who was the bench coach for the Astros last season. Cora can pretty much give Martinez and all the hitters some tips about the pitchers of the Astros.
Martinez against the Astros doesn’t have great numbers this season. In seven games against the Astros, he’s batting just .192 with five hits, two home runs, nine RBI’s, and an OPS of .681.
However, his numbers at Fenway Park are great. In 77 games he’s batted .324 with 77 RBI’s, 26 home runs, and an OPS of 1.088.
This postseason Martinez is batting .357 and an OPS of .992. Which is why I think he’ll be fine against the Astros. His numbers at Fenway Park are good and you might see him be a big difference maker in this series with one swing.