Francisco Alvarez is not in the minor leagues for one single reason. That the Mets’ lineup plunges in effectiveness after the cleanup spot is certainly high on the list.

Cue the irony machine because it was Alvarez, at the onset of spring training, who boldly stated: “I think we are the best lineup in baseball.” He meant 1-to-9. He specifically meant better than the Dodgers.

Instead, the Mets have been so-so. They closed the weekend 13th in runs per game at 4.45 — the MLB average was 4.35.

The main culprit is that the totality of the lineup — the 1-to-9 of it all — just has not been that good.