New York Mets 2015 Predictions: Lineups, Pitching, Record

Wrap Up and Predictions

Sep 27, 2014; New York, NY, USA; New York Mets first baseman Lucas Duda (21) and teammates celebrate his two run walk off home run during the ninth inning against the Houston Astros at Citi Field. New York Mets won 2-1. Mandatory Credit: Anthony Gruppuso-USA TODAY Sports

Here is what the Mets lineup should look like on Opening Day:

Juan Lagares CF
Daniel Murphy 2B
David Wright 3B
Lucas Duda 1B
Michael Cuddyer RF
Curtis Granderson LF
Travis d’Arnaud C
Wilmer Flores SS

The pitching rotation will not be ordered necessarily the way fans and experts would expect, as the Mets will undoubtedly look for rest days throughout the season for Harvey and potentially deGrom and Wheeler. That will shake up the Mets rotation at times, as they will be making sure they stick to the plans they have laid out and not say someone needs to start a given day because they are the No.1 starter of No.3 starter.

The Mets have as bright an outlook this season as they have had in a while. There is optimism surrounding the clubhouse, as Harvey makes his much anticipated return from Tommy John surgery, other young arms continue to grow and the lineup is finally starting to come together.

With all of that said, it is still hard to imagine the Mets jumping the Nationals for the NL East crown. For as good as the Mets’ rotation is, the Nationals can matchup with them, and best them even, spot for spot. A rotation that doesn’t have space for a guy like Tanner Roark, owner of a 2.85 ERA in 31 starts in 2014 is crazy deep. Max Scherzer, Stephen Strasburg and Jordan Zimmermann all can make cases to be the ace of the staff, while Doug Fister and Gio Gonzalez make up the best fourth and five starters in the MLB.

It will be a tall hill to climb for the Mets to overtake them, especially since the Nationals lineup is much deeper than the Mets. But while the division may be out of reach, the Mets should be fighting for a playoff spot throughout the season. There is nothing keep them from contending for a Wild Card spot other than utter disaster, like Harvey not returning to form and key lineup pieces getting injured again, such ad Wright, Cuddyer or d’Arnaud. Unlike the Nationals, the Mets just to not have the depth in their lineup to make up for an injury to an everyday player. Everything would have to fall just right for the Mets to take home the NL East crown, but even with a few bumps a wild card spot should be obtained.

Prediction: 89-74, Winner of Second Wild Card

Next: Did A New York Met Rank As The Number One New York Athlete In 2014?

More from Empire Writes Back