Latest Mets starting lineup change looks like the best one they could have

How much does hitting in a certain spot in the order change a player? Some guys prefer the same spot every night. Others are more adaptable. In either case, we’ve seen the New York Mets lineup change a lot over the last few weeks while trying to spark more runs. Finally, they seem to have found the perfect one.

The 11 runs scored by the Mets on Sunday against the San Diego Padres was due to several reasons. Warmer weather is definitely helping the ball carry further, but let’s not overlook what Brandon Nimmo has done since moving out of the third spot and into the second. Hitless in the first game with this change versus the Miami Marlins on Thursday after sitting the day prior, Nimmo more than accepted the alteration in each game versus San Diego.

While far from the star in any of those three wins, Nimmo had nothing but multi-hit games. A pair on Friday and Saturday each. Then three more on Sunday.

The Mets have found their best possible starting lineup

Because of some off-days for certain players, the absolute best starting lineup for the Mets hasn’t been fully put on display yet. It’s those first four hitters finding their groove that matters most.

Francisco Lindor in the leadoff spot must continue. Nimmo at second, as mentioned previously, has gotten him going. Follow it up with J.D. Martinez at third where he seems born to hit. Then add in Pete Alonso to the spot he is plenty familiar with at number four.

Beyond those four, the Mets have tried a few things. Days off for Harrison Bader and Starling Marte have slightly altered it. But if all of the most regular of regulars are in the lineup, here’s what Carlos Mendoza should write down on a regular basis:

1) Francisco Lindor
2) Brandon Nimmo
3) J.D. Martinez
4) Pete Alonso
5) Starling Marte
6) Mark Vientos
7) Francisco Alvarez
8) Jeff McNeil
9) Harrison Bader

Francisco Alvarez has yet to get going but his presence behind the plate has already been felt. The threat of a home run is present even if he hasn’t shown it quite yet. He should remain interchangeable with Mark Vientos depending on who is swinging the hotter bat.

At the bottom two, Jeff McNeil is only hitting eighth because Harrison Bader has much better speed on the base paths and fits as a secondary leadoff hitter from the bottom. It also sprinkles in a lefty after a whole lot of righties.

It’s only this onslaught of five consecutive right-handed hitters that seems to offer the Mets any sort of weakness in the lineup. Not the original intention of how this roster was built, McNeil’s poor play and the absence of Brett Baty from the team all together right now because of his own shortcomings has to have the Mets thinking a little differently. Work with what you have.

A lot of the intentions David Stearns had for the Mets have gone awry. This isn’t a ball club based on defense. They hit for power (tenth most home runs in MLB) and rely on their bullpen for about half of games. The little switch of moving Nimmo to second, Martinez to third, and Alonso back to the fourth spot has worked for a couple of days. Use it until you lose it and then ask Grimace for another first pitch.