Mets look to prevent a sweep as they roll out Benge, Bichette, Soto and Semien in Cincinnati

The Mets and Reds renew their rivalry on June 17 with New York putting together a lineup that features a mix of star power and continued lineup tinkering. According to Yahoo Sports’ preview, the Mets are trying to “avoid a sweep,” a reference to the urgency that comes when a team is close to losing a full series.

Carson Benge is listed as the starting right fielder, with Bo Bichette at third base. The middle of the batting order, at least on paper, leans into offensive reputation, with Juan Soto placed in left field and Marcus Semien at second base. Together, that grouping indicates that the Mets are prioritizing run creation across multiple spots, rather than loading only one part of the lineup.

New York also lists Mark Vientos at first base and Francisco Alvarez in the first-base spot on the same Yahoo lineup graphic, which suggests at minimum that the club is using a flexible configuration. A.J. Ewing is listed as the designated hitter, another marker that the Mets are building around power and lineup continuity rather than reshuffling only the infield.

Luis Torrens gets the start in center field, while Zack Short is listed at shortstop in the Yahoo Sports preview. Those two positions can be especially telling in game-to-game lineup planning, because outfield coverage and infield ground-ball handling can change how a manager matches the batting order to the opposing pitching staff.

While lineups are often the most visible part of a game preview, they also reflect roster reality. Mets fans can reasonably expect New York to keep searching for the most productive mix of hitters and defenders, particularly in contests where the emotional stakes are elevated. In that context, a lineup featuring both high-end talent and players tasked with specific defensive assignments becomes more than a card to fill out.

For the Reds, the Mets’ lineup offers a clear test: can Cincinnati’s pitching keep Soto from turning counts into damage and limit the run-scoring lanes that teams often try to create when Semien and Bichette are active in front of the power spots? New York, meanwhile, will want to avoid early holes and let their top and middle-of-the-order threats work at-bats into the late stages of the game.

The immediate takeaway is straightforward. The Mets’ path is built on getting consistent contact from the lineup’s core and putting their defenders in roles that fit the game plan. With the club listed as trying to avoid a sweep, the lineup carries added weight: if the Mets can produce early offense and hold the late-inning scoring margin, they can keep momentum in their own hands rather than looking at the series-ending scenario from behind.