Part 2/7:
According to Mendoza, the starting lineup begins with Francisco Lindor leading the charge, followed closely by Juan Soto—a decision that stems from Mendoza's observations during spring training. As he notes, positioning Lindor at the top allows for maximum exposure for Soto, whose batting prowess the manager believes can be capitalized on.
Despite Mendoza’s initial thoughts, a counterargument arises around the need for a more protective batting order. Analysts suggest that Lindor is a crucial player for the Mets' success, particularly in light of new pitching-related rules, like the three-batter rule for relief pitchers that complicates traditional matchups.