The Mets’ best player is in the leadoff spot and playing shortstop.
Francisco Lindor is back in the Mets’ lineup, and he’s batting leadoff and playing shortstop tonight as the team opens an absolutely crucial three-game series in Milwaukee. First pitch is set for 8:10 PM EDT, and the more games the Mets win this weekend, the more likely it is that they can clinch a postseason spot.
Lindor hasn’t played since September 15, and even that appearance was only a short one, as he suffered lower back tightness in the team’s game on September 13. All medical exams of his back have turned up clean, which is great news, but Lindor has slowly been working back to being back on the field. Ideally, he’s all clear from a pain and tightness perspective and will be able to play in all of the Mets’ remaining games this year.
The importance of Lindor to this team really can’t be overstated. In 670 plate appearances, he’s hit .271/.342/.494 with 31 home runs, 27 stolen bases, and a 135 wRC+. He’s done that while playing a great shortstop, all of which combines to give him a superb 7.4 fWAR on the season thus far.