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

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.