2 NEW YORK METS

O/U WINS: 90.5

KEY PLAYER: Pete

Alonso (right).

The 2021 Paul

Bunyan seems to carry an outsized influence on his team’s fate, as is the case with many larger-than-life personalities.

He has appeared bound and determined to erase his disappointing sophomore campaign with a memorable rebound.

PLAYER WHO’LL NEED TO STEP UP: J.D. Davis. After much Hot Stove League conjecture surrounding the Mets’ hot corner, Davis retained his incumbent status and will receive the opportunity to reclaim his title as Brodie Van Wagenen’s best acquisition. He’ll need to slug more and (obviously) field his third-base position better than he did last season. NAME YOU’LL GET TO KNOW: Khalil Lee. The Mets expressed excitement when they jumped into a larger trade (Andrew Benintendi from the Red Sox to the Royals) to land this speedy outfielder.

Common sense says he’ll receive some opportunities to show his stuff.

BIGGEST QUESTION MARK: Which will prove the greater impetus for Luis Rojas to purchase Tums in bulk, the Mets’ defense or their bullpen? The lack of the DH really hurts them, impacting their fielding at first base, left field and center field. The relief corps, meanwhile, features big, expensive questions in Dellin Betances and Jeurys Familia, and Edwin Diaz will have to close games in front of fans again. HOW IT’LL GO DOWN: Too much roster depth exists for Steve Cohen’s maiden voyage to end in disaster. With a resurgent Alonso leading an excellent offense that has added Francisco Lindor, and Jacob deGrom starting every fifth day, they should make their way back to the playoffs for the first time since 2016.

PROJECTED LINEUP CF Brandon Nimmo SS Francisco Lindor RF Michael Conforto 1B Pete Alonso LF Dominic Smith 2B Jeff McNeil

3B J.D. Davis

C James McCann

ROTATION

RHP Jacob deGrom RHP Marcus Stroman LHP David Peterson RHP Taijuan Walker LHP Joey Lucchesi