3 reasons the Mets are back up and will take this season down to the wire

2) The Mets starting rotation has helped carry them in multiple big games

Aside from Jose Quintana, the Mets starting staff is regularly putting together big starts. Luis Severino’s shutout on Saturday was a much-needed achievement for him. Sean Manaea has delivered multiple big-time outings, including a lengthy perfect game bid on Wednesday. There’s also David Peterson who is 2-0 with a 1.85 ERA in 4 August starts. Newcomer Paul Blackburn has been a steady presence as well with only blip in his 4 appearances.

The Mets have only a +1 run differential this month with 80 runs scored and 79 allowed. The starting staff hasn’t completely gained our trust. However, with multiple long and dominant outings recently, we’ve seen the upside of what some of these pitchers can accomplish.

When the Mets lost Kodai Senga for the regular season, they seemed to lose any potential for a true ace on the staff. It’s premature to anoint the honor on anyone, but that’s okay. Four starters pitching well lately is more than most teams can claim.

There are still days when the offense disappears or the bullpen blows it. A step in the right direction is the number of innings the starters are giving the team. Doing it with minimal damage and sometimes looking like ace material only adds to the positivity.

3) Mets management isn’t being stubborn when things aren’t working

Specifically, it’s David Stearns and Carlos Mendoza who refuse to be stubborn. Let’s give them some kudos.

Stearns has been ruthless with the roster all year long. Although now limited because we’re past the trade deadline, we shouldn’t expect him to keep players past their welcome as long as there are better options out there. He has taken a pair of scissors to underperformers multiple times. This shouldn’t stop.

We’ve seen Mendoza take action more publicly. He can only work with the players Stearns gives him. He has done a good job at mixing things up with the occasional questionable call along the way. The failed Jeff McNeil bunt from Sunday left a bruise that still hasn’t healed.

Mendoza’s big challenge right now is mixing the outfielders into the starting lineup. It’s not as simple as sitting Starling Marte against righties and letting Winker start instead. Tyrone Taylor needs his time in the lineup. McNeil as an outfield option to give Jose Iglesias those earned opportunities at second base factor in as well. Thus far, things have gone well.

Wednesday’s lineup saw Brandon Nimmo doing something new, too. He hit fourth for the Mets on a day when Winker took a seat to start the game. Pinch hitting Winker for Harrison Bader seemed like a no-brainer given the match-up against Seranthony Dominguez. Waiting for that moment and getting the result he wanted is another successful in-game move by the Mets skipper that gave us the home run celebration that began like most hockey fights do.

The Mets have a lot more to prove. They passed their test at home against the Orioles. Next up, the San Diego Padres.