Mets' Buck Showalter: Francisco Lindor more worried about winning than personal stats

The New York Mets head into a four-game series at the rival Philadelphia Phillies that begins Thursday night at 18-9 on the season and atop the National League East standings. However, not everything is going swimmingly for the Amazins during the first week of May. 

Star shortstop Francisco Lindor enjoyed a solid start to the campaign at the plate and in the field but has encountered a batting slump as of late. Per Ryan Morik of SNY, Lindor is batting .128 over his last 10 games, and ESPN stats note the 28-year-old hit a woeful .056 over the month's first five contests. 

Following his trade from the Cleveland Guardians in January 2021, Lindor put pen to paper on a 10-year contract extension that could earn him a reported $341 million. He then went on to hit .230 with 20 home runs and 63 RBI across his first 125 regular-season games with the Mets. 

Veteran manager Buck Showalter, who only joined the club this past December, explained on Thursday afternoon why he's not concerned about Lindor's latest struggles. 

"He’s always upbeat," Showalter said of the four-time All-Star. 'He’s the guy that stays consistent with his personality, at least since I’ve been around with him. 

"He’s all about the Mets winning. He’s one of those guys where he could be 0-for-5 with an error, and if we win, he’s sincerely happy…. There’s a real sincerity from a team standpoint. The baseball gods always pay you back if you keep that mentality."

Showalter suggested that Lindor may sometimes press because he can "want something too much" at the dish. 

Ideally, fans won't boo Lindor and company this time around as long as they stay in first place through the summer months.