A Hail Mary NY Mets lineup change we need to see starting against the LA Dodgers

The New York Mets have been in a debilitating offensive slump in recent games. The lineup has consistently struggled to produce, especially with baserunners in scoring position, giving the team its worst run of the season.

The lineup that was supposed to be the weapon that would keep the Mets in contention has been deficient throughout the season, showing inconsistency and below-expected production, as is the case with Juan Soto. To create a different momentum in the team's aura and spirit, the Mets need to modify their approach at the plate and make a drastic lineup change.

The Mets need to create an offensive boost and put the ball in play

The Mets need to start producing more runs and be more timely at the plate. While the Mets' offense ranks seventh-best in terms of total offensive production measured by wRC+, they are about average in the league in RBI production. This disparity highlights a crucial issue: the team is getting on base, but not driving those runners home.

Lineup:

1. Francisco Lindor
2. Jeff McNeil
3. Juan Soto
4. Pete Alonso
5. Mark Vientos
6. Brandon Nimmo
7. Francisco Alvarez
8. Brett Baty
9. Tyrone Taylor

To achieve a much-needed offensive boost, the Mets need to change their approach at the plate and make a significant alteration to their lineup. One of the most drastic, but potentially impactful, changes would be to elevate Jeff McNeil to the team's No. 2 hitter.

The reasoning behind this decision is rooted in the Mets' current disciplined approach at the plate. According to Fangraphs, the Mets are one of the teams with the fewest total swings at the ball. This tendency has led to a lineup construction that prioritizes players with high on-base percentage (OBP) capacity at the top of the order. However, opposing pitchers are taking this into account. They are throwing more pitches in the strike zone at the start of the count and on the first pitch, exploiting the Mets' patient approach.

McNeil, on the other hand, presents a different dynamic. He is a player who swings a considerable amount, especially at pitches in the strike zone, and he's notably the Mets' most frequent first-pitch swinger. This aggressive approach could force pitchers to adjust, opening up more hittable pitches for the batters behind him.

Furthermore, McNeil has been the Mets' third-best hitter in expected metrics, measured by xwOBA, demonstrating that he has been a player with good contact and a sound approach at the plate, but has simply experienced bad luck. If McNeil were to bat behind a player like Francisco Lindor, who has been an efficient hitter this season, it could also alleviate some of the pressure on Juan Soto to produce immediately after Lindor, with McNeil able to consistently put the ball in play. This shift could create a more fluid and less predictable offensive attack, essential for breaking out of this current slump against formidable opponents like the Dodgers and moving forward.