Mets’ Francisco Lindor flattered by MVP chants but says playoffs is big goal

Having played his way into the NL MVP race with his performance over the past two months, Francisco Lindor said his focus remains on helping the Mets get back to the playoffs.

But the award is something that’s on his radar.

“I’ve never won it, so it would be great,’’ Lindor said before going 0-for-4 in the Mets’ 4-0 loss to the Braves at Citi Field. “I always say I don’t play for awards, but if I win the MVP, it would mean a lot.”

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The Queens crowd has gotten in on the conversation on this homestand, chanting “MVP” during his at-bats at times, which Lindor said was “pretty cool,” with a caveat.

“When I said it was cool, it’s still July and the MVP is not won in July,’’ Lindor said. “You’ve got to continue to have a great second half to win it.”

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But there’s been no better player in the National League since May 21 than Lindor, who has a 4.2 WAR during that span according to Fangraphs, far outpacing the next players on the list, Cincinnati’s Elly De La Cruz, the Dodgers’ Shohei Ohtani and Arizona’s Ketel Marte, all at 2.7.

“It’s a long way away,” Lindor said of when the award will be decided. “But do I believe I can stay at the level to compete for it? Of course, but that’s not my main focus right now. My main focus is to play at the highest level to help this team.’’

Lindor finished fifth in the AL MVP voting in 2017 with Cleveland and sixth a year later, but hasn’t finished higher than ninth since.

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He had to overcome a rough start to the season, when Lindor was playing like one of the worst offensive shortstops in the league until late May.

Like the rest of the team, he’s been able to put that ugly month behind him with his eyes on bigger goals.

“We always believed we could get here,’’ Lindor said. “But we can’t slow down now.”

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