Lindor, Soto join rare 30-30 club as Mets beat Cubs
Lindor homers for 30th and Soto seals 30-30, third pair to achieve the feat in the same season; potential for 40-40 looming if Soto swipes more bases.
Francisco Lindor and Juan Soto became the third pair of teammates in MLB history to post 30 homers and 30 stolen bases in the same season, as the New York Mets defeated the Chicago Cubs 8-5 on Thursday.
Lindor supplied the highlight with a 408-foot solo homer to left field off Cubs left-hander Shota Imanaga with the bases empty in the third inning. The blast gave him his 30th home run and his 30th stolen base of the season. Soto had already joined the 30-30 club earlier in September, the first time in his big-league career. If Soto can steal four more bases in the Mets' remaining four games, he would become the franchise's first 40-40 player.
Lindor also previously reached 30-30 in 2023, making this a rare repeat for him while Soto records his first season with the milestone. The two stars carried a momentous season into the late schedule, reinforcing the Mets’ push as they chase a playoff spot in the closing weeks.
The milestone also marks a historic moment in MLB history: Lindor and Soto joined two prior duos who accomplished 30-30 in the same season. The first occurred in 1987 when Mets legends Howard Johnson and Darryl Strawberry reached the feat, and the second in 1996 when Dante Bichette and Ellis Burks did so for the Colorado Rockies.
The Mets’ achievement comes as the club navigates a tightly packed race down the stretch, with both star players delivering at crucial moments. Lindor’s 30-30 season—adding to his previous 30-30 year in 2023—underscores his sustained power-speed impact, while Soto’s breakout performance in this regard highlights his continued growth as a two-way threat. If Soto continues to swipe bags at his current pace, the Mets would be in position to set a franchise peak for a single player, underscoring the team’s potential as the season winds toward its finish.
As the regular season moves toward its final days, the Mets are counting on continued contributions from their top hitters. The win over Chicago not only boosted their standing in the standings race but also underscored the efficiency of their lineup when both Lindor and Soto are locked in. The Cubs, meanwhile, faced a setback in a game that featured a marquee performance from two of the sport’s most dynamic players and a reminder of the relentless pace of September baseball.
