Mets’ Carlos Mendoza explains decision to shake up lineup before must-win game.

The Mets’ season is on the line, and if they can’t pull off a win over the Dodgers in Game 5 , their season will end Friday night at Citi Field.

So ahead of the must-win game, manager Carlos Mendoza switched the lineup up a bit.

Jeff McNeil, who is coming off of a fractured wrist, will be at second base for his first start of the postseason after being named to the NLCS roster. Since then, he’s pinch hit in Games 1, 3, and 4 and gone 0-for-3 in those appearances.

Trying to get a different look to our lineup,” Mendoza said of going with McNeil at second on Friday. “An extra lefty in there today.”

 

Jesse Winker, who pinch hit for Francisco Alvarez in the eighth inning on Thursday, is back in the lineup at DH. He replaces J.D. Martinez, who went 0-for-4 in over the last two games in this series. Winker will move up to the No. 5 hole with Starling Marte moving down to the sixth spot in the lineup.

 

Tyrone Taylor, who did not start in Thursday’s loss, will also be back in the lineup.

 

Brandon Nimmo moves up to the No. 2 spot and Mark Vientos shifts down to No. 3 in the order.