Noelvi Marte’s bounce-back season sets up epic clash for top honors with Reds' rival

Noelvi Marte isn’t just back; he’s making sure the rest of the National League knows it. After a rocky stretch earlier in his career, the Cincinnati Reds infielder has rediscovered his form, and the results have been noteworthy. In his last seven games, Marte is slashing .400/.400/.720 with a homer and seven RBIs, fueling a late-season surge as the Reds chase down a Wild Card berth.

The Reds currently sit just outside the final Wild Card spot, which is clinging to life in the hands of the free-falling New York Mets. If Cincinnati does slip in, there’s a good chance they’ll have Marte’s bat to thank. However, Marte's comeback story isn’t happening in a vacuum.

The NL Central might just have the two leading candidates for Comeback Player of the Year barreling toward a showdown in September: Marte and Chicago Cubs left-hander Matthew Boyd.

One NL Central rival stands in Noelvi Marte's quest for NL Comeback Player of Year

The numbers speak for themselves. Marte, in just 52 games, is hitting .290 with a .328 on-base percentage and a .503 slugging percentage, belting eight home runs, driving in 35 runs, and swiping seven bags. Meanwhile, Boyd has been the definition of a veteran renaissance; posting an 11-6 record with a sparkling 2.46 ERA, 126 strikeouts, and just 37 walks across 142 2/3 innings over 24 starts.

The timing couldn’t be better for drama. From September 18–21, the Reds and Cubs will square off in a four-game set that could decide more than playoff positioning. Imagine Boyd on the mound against Marte in a high-stakes at-bat — not just with postseason hopes on the line, but with the potential to tip the scale in the race for one of baseball’s more respected individual honors.

Of course, there’s also an outsider in the mix. Ronald Acuña Jr., a match for Marte with 55 games under his belt. He’s slashing .306/.429/.577 with 14 homers and 26 RBI. But with the Braves far out of contention and Acuña just back from the IL, his chances hinge entirely on when — and how he returns. His name alone will keep him in the conversation, but unlike Marte and Boyd, his comeback narrative may not get the September spotlight.

In a year where the NL Comeback Player of the Year field is packed with storylines, it’s rare to see two favorites share the same division and possibly go head-to-head with everything on the line. For baseball fans, the final stretch could involve watching two players fight for redemption, respect, and maybe even a trophy with their name on it.

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