1 prediction for each of the Opening Day starters

1 prediction for NY Mets first baseman Pete Alonso: Return of the 40 home run season

Nobody hit 40 home runs for the Mets last year. And if anyone is going to do it, Pete Alonso is the guy.

I won’t be bold enough to predict Alonso wins another home run title although he’s probably going to be a Home Run Derby Champion yet again.

Swatting 40 home runs is no small feat. He’s going to go head-to-head with McCann and his runs scored total—not that anyone other than us will notice or care.

1 prediction for NY Mets second baseman Jeff McNeil: The light-hitting, high-average guy returns

I’ve got a lot of confidence in Jeff McNeil. After the struggles of 2021, some began to question his abilities. Most notably, it was the front office that thought about trading him this offseason. They never did and I’m predicting they’ll be satisfied enough with the decision.

McNeil will play a lot of second base this year, fill in at corner outfield spots, and even see some third base and DH action. He’ll return to his light-hitting, high-average ways. The best version of McNeil there is!

Mark him down for 10 home runs and a .295 batting average this year. It’s not .300 but it’s a nice change from the 2021 version.

1 prediction for NY Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor: His season numbers match what he did in 2017

There are three different Francisco Lindor eras. There was the high-average, lower power one from the first two. The middle there included a lower yet still good batting average and a lot of power. Then there are the last two seasons where he saw all of his offensive numbers sink.

In year two with the Mets, I’m predicting Lindor looks like the 2017 model.

That year, Lindor slashed .273/.337/.505 with 33 home runs and 89 RBI. These aren’t insanely impossible numbers for him to achieve. If the rest of the team does their job, it should be more than enough.

1 prediction for NY Mets third baseman Eduardo Escobar: A so-so season with pop

Eduardo Escobar has only a few quality seasons in his past. He was a late-bloomer so it’s understandable why it took him until his age 28 season to hit 20 home runs. He has been a decent power hitter since, knocking 35 in 2019 and another 28 last year. For the 2022 Mets, I’ll predict we get around 23 long balls out of him.

Escobar’s best power totals came during his time with the Arizona Diamondbacks who play in a hitter’s ballpark. Citi Field won’t be as nice.

Some will feel underwhelmed by Escobar’s batting average which at its best will be close to .250. It’s only temporary. The Mets have some young kids for third base.