How the Mets starting lineup should look for the rest of 2019

Every game matter for the New York Mets and putting the best lineup on the field possible is a necessity.

We are just over two weeks away from October baseball and the New York Mets are making a final push for the playoffs. It is almost impossible for them to catch the Atlanta Braves to win the division, so they are now one of five teams who are neck-and-neck in the NL Wild Card race.

They have won the past four games in a row and are looking to stay hot in their series against one of the best teams in baseball, the Los Angeles Dodgers. The Mets have a great team and are more than capable of securing a spot in the postseason, especially because many of the other teams in the race are beginning to encounter obstacles.

Mets’ skipper Mickey Callaway has been criticized for a myriad of reasons since becoming manager of the team in 2018, a significant one being making questionable decisions when putting together the lineup. The Mets are currently two games out of the second Wild Card and must do everything in their power to stay in the race.

Callaway has to put out the best possible lineup every single day, so let’s take a look at what that is:

1. Jeff McNeil 3B
2. Pete Alonso 1B
3. Robinson Cano 2B
4. J.D. Davis LF
5. Michael Conforto RF
6. Wilson Ramos C
7. Brandon Nimmo CF
8. Amed Rosario SS

Alternatively, they could go with a lineup like this:

1. Jeff McNeil RF
2. Pete Alonso 1B
3. Robinson Cano 2B
4. J.D. Davis LF
5. Michael Conforto CF
6. Wilson Ramos C
7. Todd Frazier 3B
8. Amed Rosario SS

McNeil has been the team’s best and most consistent hitter throughout the year and should be the team’s leadoff hitter for at least most of the remainder of the season. Alonso should always bat second and putting the left-handed Cano third makes sense.

The impressive Davis is a great option for batting clean-up. It was easy for me to put Rosario eighth because the bottom of the lineup can be just as important as the top. It isn’t a mistake to put good hitters with high OBPs at the bottom because they are usually followed by the top of the lineup, which is comprised of players who have a higher chance of bringing them home.

The only reason I posted a second potential lineup is because Frazier has been an incredibly hot hitter lately and it might not be a good idea to keep him on the bench. The Mets are not a good defensive team, but these lineups allow each player to play the position they are best at.

Centerfielder Lagares can be put in the lineup to replace an outfielder who isn’t playing and Lowrie, who is supposed to be joining the Mets soon, should be an alternate at practically any infield position, as well. When they play, both should be placed somewhere at the bottom of the lineup.

The Mets do have some depth but giving players unnecessary rest days wouldn’t be wise, at this point in the season. Every single game is incredibly important, and Callaway needs to put his best guys out there day in and day out in order to make it to October.

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These lineup options are the best for the Mets, who can hopefully keep the fire burning for the rest of the month.