To those Met fans out there clamoring for more: Wish granted.
Tonight’s lineup, as the Mets look to rebound from Wednesday night’s 16-4 drubbing and try to salvage the final game of a three-game set with the Cubs, looks like this:
3B Luis Guillorme
SS Francisco Lindor
LF Dominic Smith
1B Pete Alonso
RF Michael Conforto
C James McCann
2B Jonathan Villar
CF Kevin Pillar
P Joey Lucchesi
It’s certainly a far cry from what would be considered the “everyday” lineup, as three reserves – Guillorme, Villar and Pillar – will get the starting nod behind the left handed Lucchesi.
Guillorme has certainly earned more playing time with his .462/.588/.462 line to start the year, and his smooth glove at third is sure to receive a warm welcome after watching JD Davis struggle at the hot corner since his return from the Injured List last Saturday. Guillorme will be the third different leadoff hitter in as many games this series.
Despite his defensive deficiencies, Davis has been lights out at the plate, going 6-for-14 with a homer and 3 RBI in his last four games. Still, it makes sense for Rojas to give Davis a mental break to try to regroup before having to play the field again.
With the red-hot Brandon Nimmo missing a second-straight game due to a sore hip, it’s a bit surprising that Rojas is opting to once again give Pillar the nod over Albert Almora Jr., who has yet to start a game this season but delivered a pinch-hit single in the ninth inning of Wednesday’s game. Pillar is just 2-for-18 to start the year.
McNeil will get his first day off of the year after limping to a .167/.255/.286 start to the season. Villar will slot into second base and is 7-for-25 to start the year, including two clutch late-inning hits last week.
So, while spots two through six in the order will look familiar, 12-run losses tend to spark shakeups in the lineup and it’ll be up to the trio of Mets reserves to help the team get back on track before heading home to face the Nationals Friday night.
