The Post’s Mark W. Sanchez previews the NL East:
1. New York Mets
O/U Wins: 90.5
Key Player: Francisco Lindor. On the field, there are questions concerning what the shortstop will look like coming off hamate surgery, a procedure that notoriously saps power from hitters for months. Off the field, there are questions about Mets leadership after last year’s team underperformed with a clubhouse that did not appear to mesh, prompting wholesale changes. The Mets will need Lindor to help keep the team in the race and keep it together.
Player who’ll need to step up: Kodai Senga or Sean Manaea, take your pick. With Freddy Peralta and Nolan McLean, the Mets have real upside at the front of the rotation. With Clay Holmes and David Peterson, there is at least competence, and probably more, at the back. But what can be expected from Senga and Manaea? Senga owns a sterling 3.00 ERA in his three MLB seasons, but injuries and ensuing mechanical issues have sidetracked promising years. In 2024, Manaea was the team ace in the second half and October, then injuries and ineffectiveness defined last season. Do they belong at the front or back of the rotation?
