The dream New York Mets Opening Day starting lineup and pitcher

7) Batting seventh for the Mets and playing 3B Brett Baty

Another fun one. Brett Baty doesn’t feel destined to land on the Mets Opening Day roster. However, it does seem more likely than Alvarez as the DH. Baty can win the third base gig over Eduardo Escobar, pushing the veteran infielder into a part-time role. Let’s add some logic to this dream and say Darin Ruf is designated for assignment to clear out at least one roster spot and allow this to happen.

8) Batting eighth for the Mets and playing LF Mark Canha

Mark Canha falls down to the number eight spot. It’s about where he’ll be regardless of whether or not we’re awake or navigating through a dream. He might actually be one of the more impressive number eight hitters. It wouldn’t be blasphemous for the Mets to even bat him ninth at times. The man knows how to get on base.

9) Batting ninth for the Mets and playing C Omar Narvaez

We finish this lineup with catcher Omar Narvaez. Sorry, Tomas Nido. You can start when the Mets face a left-handed pitcher. To at least kick off the year, it’s Narvaez’s turn to make us forget all about James McCann.

Mets Opening Day Starting Pitcher: Justin Verlander

The new guy gets to start on Opening Day for the simple reason that we get to see the two reigning Cy Young winners face each other. It’s going to be an instant classic where neither goes beyond six innings. That’s kind of how the first start of the season goes these days. Give the ball to Brooks Raley in the seventh, Adam Ottavino in the eighth, and let Edwin Diaz close it out.