Mets playoffs: Lineups for NLCS Game 1 vs. Chicago Cubs

The Mets and Cubs have released their lineups for tonight's NLCS Game 1 at Citi Field. Matt Harvey will take the mount for the good guys with Jon Lester starting for the bad guys. Lester, a lefty, has prompted two notable lineup decisions for the Mets.

Lucas Duda, who struck out seemingly every time he batted in the NLDS against the Dodgers—notwithstanding his Game 5 walk that led to Daniel Murphy's schoolyard steal of third base—will ride the pine tonight in favor of Michael Cuddyer. Duda has had a good season against lefties, batting .285/.333/.545, but he has historically struggled against them. Add to that his offensive absence from the NLDS and Terry Collins has decided to keep him out of the lineup.

The other decision will put Michael Conforto, who homered in Game 2 against the Dodgers and started Game 5—on the bench in favor of Juan Lagares, who will start in center field. Yoenis Cespedes will play left.