Mets' OD lineup: Nimmo leading off; Thor 8th

NEW YORK -- Brandon Nimmo will lead off and Noah Syndergaard will bat eighth on Opening Day at Citi Field for the Mets, who will use the following lineup against the Cardinals on Thursday at 1:10 p.m. ET:

1. Brandon Nimmo, CF

2. Yoenis Cespedes, LF

3. Jay Bruce, RF

4. Asdrubal Cabrera, 2B

5. Todd Frazier, 3B

6. Adrian Gonzalez, 1B

7. Kevin Plawecki, C

8. Noah Syndergaard, P

9. Amed Rosario, SS

Manager Mickey Callaway said that batting the pitcher eighth takes pressure off Rosario, a 22-year-old who should see fewer breaking balls than he would in the eight hole. And it could potentially give Cespedes and Bruce more RBI opportunities up top.