Three keys for the Mets to reach the World Series

The Mets will play Game 1 of the NLCS tonight, the first game of a best-of-seven series that could see them advance to the World Series for the first time since 2015. Let's take a quick look at three key factors in winning the National League pennant and advancing beyond this series.

Francisco Lindor

As the Mets' postseason began, we reported on Francisco Lindor's crucial role in getting the team there thanks to his outstanding MVP-level performance in the regular season. After recovering from the back pain that sidelined him for an extended period in late September, Lindor is playing just as well – if not better – than he did before the playoffs.

Lindor's massive home runs in the dramatic playoff duel in Atlanta and Game 4 of the NLDS are considered two of the most iconic moments in franchise history. And he played a very important role in setting up Pete Alonso's equally legendary home run in Milwaukee, drawing a walk to start an inning that began with the Mets trailing by two runs with just three outs left.

Additionally, Lindor has continued to play excellent defense at shortstop. Several times in these playoffs he made plays to get an out or two, making them seem a lot easier along the way than they actually were.

The Mets will also need contributions from players across the team moving forward, but Lindor is undoubtedly the team's MVP. And he's determined and has his eyes on the World Series prize. There aren't many players you'd rather have play for your team in a championship series than him.

Six starting pitchers

The Mets won't use all six pitchers they have on their roster as starters, but they will almost certainly use all six pitchers for parts of these games, especially if the series runs a little longer.

Sean Manaea, Jose Quintana and Luis Severino serve as traditional starters. Kodai Senga will likely last longer than he did in his start in NLDS Game 1 against the Phillies, and either David Peterson or Tylor Megill should work with him to fill the gap on the team's relief arms.

The Mets aren't the first team to use starters in unconventional roles, but it feels relatively rare to see a team with so many starters – and there's a fair amount of satisfaction with the way they all could be used.

Increased bullpen stability

If it seems fairly likely that the first two keys will happen here, then this might be more of a dice roll. The Mets' bullpen was extremely overworked in the final days of the regular season and in the Wild Card round and has been a bit less reliable of late than it was in the second half of the regular season.

However, given the three days off between the NLDS and NLCS, one can hope that their best high-leverage relievers return to form. Edwin Díaz, José Butto and Phil Maton are all probably better than they have looked so far in these playoffs.

Ryne Stanek and Reed Garrett have been quite good so far in the postseason. The Mets don't necessarily need all five of these bullpen arms to be outstanding at the same time, but if they could find a rhythm where they trust more than one or two of them at a big spot, that would shore up some of these innings have felt shakiest in the first two rounds of these playoffs.