3 UP

1. Starting Pitching Is Looking Up

With the Mets poor start, they had little choice but to pin their hopes on the rotation improving when Seth Lugo and Steven Matz returned from the Disabled List. Finally, in this series, Lugo and Matz were activated off the Disabled List and were great.

In fact, the entire Mets rotation was great. The worst start the Mets got was five shut out innings from Matt Harvey. Overall, the starters pitched 25.2 innings allowing just two runs. Other than Harvey, the pitchers all pitched into the seventh inning.

This was how the Mets drew it up. Dominant starting pitchers who pitch deep into games. We saw that in 2015 and 2016 and now we finally saw it in 2017.

2. There’s Potencia 

In the top of the ninth inning in the first game of the doubleheader, Yoenis Cespedes launched a grand slam blowing the game open. From that point forward, it was a completely different Mets team. They absolutely dominated the Braves.

Yes, Cespedes played in only one game, but his presence seemed to bring a different energy to the team. We’ve seen in the past how he’s impacted the Mets.

3. It’s Not Over

Lost in the Mets taking three of four from the Braves, was the Nationals getting swept by the Rangers. A Mets team that once trailed the Nationals by 12.5 games are now just 9.5 games back. With the two teams still having nine head-to-head games remaining, the Mets are very much alive in the division and certainly the Wild Card race.

3 DOWN

1. Reyes Continues to Play… Poorly

It’s one thing for the Mets to send down Matt Reynolds and T.J. Rivera instead of designating Jose Reyes for assignment. It’s a whole other thing for Reyes to start in three of the four games in the series.

It’s as if Terry Collins is completely oblivious to Reyes having gone two for his last 30 at-bats or that Reyes’ -1.1 WAR is the worst on the team and the second worst WAR by a National League infielder. Despite all this, Collins continues to play him.

2.  Salas is Struggling Again

In consecutive outings, Fernando Salas has allowed runs. On Friday night, he allowed a double to Dansby Swanson, who would score when Josh Edgin allowed a walk-off RBI single to Rio Ruiz.

In the first end of the double header on Saturday, Salas nearly spoiled a terrific Gsellman start allowing a home run to Brandon Phillips. Before the Braves could really get anything going, Collins lifted him.

Salas has now allowed a run in three of his last five appearances, and has a 5.46 ERA. The Mets need him to be better than that.

3. Montero Still a Met

With Lugo coming off the 60-day disabled list, the Mets needed to designate someone for assignment to make room for him on the 40-man roster. That person would be Sean Gilmartin who was quickly claimed by the Cardinals.

Of course this means somehow, some way, Rafael Montero is still a member of the Mets organization. There’s just no getting rid of him no matter how poorly he pitches. And as long as he’s on the 40-man roster, there’s always a chance he’ll rejoin the Major League roster so he can blow a game or two.

Things now get interesting as the Mets begin a seven game homestand against the Cubs and the Nationals.