The National League snapped the American League’s All-Star Game winning streak at nine by coming from behind and hanging on for a 3-2 victory at T-Mobile Park in Seattle.
The Los Angeles Dodgers had several members of their usual lineup who appeared in the 93rd Midsummer Classic, including Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, J.D. Martinez and Will Smith. But it was their first-year designated hitter who had the biggest impact, delivering two hits, including a double in the top of the fourth inning.
With Martinez standing on second, Miami Marlins All-Star Luis Arraez lined a single to right field, bringing in the tying run.
Martinez displayed a bit of what he’s done all year for the Dodgers, providing extra-base hits at a strong pace while bringing terrific at-bat quality. This year’s All-Star Game was the sixth of his career, and Martinez’s two hits was his best offensive showing in any of the exhibitions, which he was relieved by, per Jack Harris of the L.A. Times:
“My friends were joking around with me like, ‘Are you gonna get a hit this year?’” Martinez said afterward. “It’s been rough every time I play in these.”
Martinez recorded a hit in just one other All-Star Game, back in 2018 as a member of the Boston Red Sox. His double on Tuesday marked Martinez’s first extra-base hit in the showcase, nearly putting his name in the All-Star Game MVP conversation.
Betts previously played in two All-Star Games with Martinez in 2018 and 2019, are now a third with the Dodgers. The pair were mentioned as having a fantastic chemistry throughout the years, and it’s no coincidence they’re having unbelievable individual seasons.
Martinez signed a one-year contract with the Dodgers this past offseason, and although a .303 on-base percentage isn’t particularly impressive, he features a .570 slugging percentage. That has Martinez on par with his third-best power output of his career, headlined by 22 home runs during the first half.
What has J.D. Martinez brought to the Dodgers?
Aside from his at-bat quality and ability to slug, Martinez has done an incredible job at lengthening a rather top-heavy Dodgers lineup. The veteran right-handed bat is known for his technical approach to hitting, and with the Dodgers he’s as good as he’s been in years.
Grading out in the 94th percentile in average exit velocity, 96th percentile in barrel rate, and 97th percentile in expected slugging, Martinez is exactly who the Dodgers needed in the DH role.
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