Mets turn to Jeff McNeil with season on the line in Game 5 lineup swap

· New York Post

Jeff McNeil will get a chance to contribute in a starting role as the Mets look to extend their season.

The veteran utilityman was placed in the starting lineup against the Dodgers batting eighth, as the second baseman, for Friday’s Game 5 of the NLCS.

The Mets began the day within a loss of elimination from the postseason.

Jeff McNeil is starting Game 5 with the Mets’ season on the line. Getty Images

McNeil last started a game on Sept. 6, when he fractured his right wrist on a hit by pitch.

He returned to the Mets for the NLCS and has received three at-bats as pinch-hitter (he went 0-for-3) in the first four games of the series.

Jose Iglesias won’t start in Game 5 amid his struggles. Getty Images

Jose Iglesias, who has started at second base throughout the postseason, was on the bench for Game 5.

The veteran infielder entered the day with an underwhelming .227/.261/.227 slash line in 11 games this postseason after contributing big during the regular season.