With their 2025 season hanging precariously in the balance, the New York Mets entered their series finale against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday facing immense pressure. With only four games remaining on the schedule, the margin for error has evaporated entirely. Every decision, every substitution, and most importantly, every name on the lineup card carries monumental weight. For a team backed into a corner and fighting for its playoff life, the objective is simple: deploy the absolute best combination of players possible to secure a win.
Yet, as the lineup for this critical matchup was released, a sense of confusion permeated the fanbase and analytical community.