When a team wins only two of its last ten games, the frustration from fans is inevitable. And when that team happens to be the Mets, those tensions multiply tenfold. This season, especially after the All-Star break, the Mets have looked more like basement dwellers than a franchise boasting one of the league’s highest payrolls.

But baseball, with its unpredictability, always leaves room for redemption. Like on Saturday, the Mets finally found a spark — and it came from a fresh face. Nolan McLean, the organization’s top pitching prospect, delivered a badly needed jolt of optimism in his major league debut. Notably, the 24-year-old right-hander dazzled with poise. He tossed 5 1/3 scoreless frames en route to a 3-1 victory over the Mariners. It was exactly the kind of performance the Mets needed to remind their fans of brighter possibilities.

And yet, even in the glow of McLean’s triumph, Citi Field echoed with boos. This time aimed at manager Carlos Mendoza, whose handling of the rookie’s hot start left the fan base restless and unconvinced. And amid the chaos, Mendoza shared the pitching timeline with his new sensation!

“I think so,” Mendoza said when asked if McLean could be seen with another start. “Don’t you think?”

“We needed that. We needed that as a team, the organization, given where we are at and how hard it’s been for us,” the manager continued. “You start thinking about what it’s gonna look like here pretty soon, and I feel good about our chances.”

Well, McLean made quite a statement in his big-league debut. And it looks like he’s earned himself another shot in the Mets’ rotation. After Saturday’s 3-1 win over the Mariners, manager Carlos Mendoza didn’t hesitate to praise the 24-year-old righty. Mendoza called his outing “pretty impressive” and “unbelievable.”

For the unversed, McLean gave up just two hits with four walks while striking out eight on 91 pitches. So, Mendoza liked everything he saw! From McLean’s presence on the mound to his poise, aggressiveness, and mix of pitches. Well, just a week ago, Mendoza was a bit hesitant about whether McLean would stick in the rotation, but after this performance, he seemed much more confident that the rookie has earned another start.

But all this comes amid the boos directed at the Mets manager.

“I heard them loud and clear, and if I were sitting in the stands, I would be boring myself too. But look, man, I have a responsibility here, number one, to win games. But number two is when we’re talking about one of our best prospects that is making his major league debut. We have a plan in place, and I just had to make a decision, but I still love them,” Mendoza was honest about facing the boos from the stands.

If you have checked the game, you know McLean was so locked in the game that when Mendoza came out to pull him after 91 pitches, the Citi Field crowd let the manager hear it with a chorus of boos. But it is understandable that the rookie would unlikely be given more than 90 pitches for now. And that, considering McLean’s next outing, the Mets can’t afford any more injuries.

The Mets’ offense also put on a good show

Apart from the McLean-led pitching lineup, the Saturday game also witnessed a good show from the Mets. Courtesy: Francisco Lindor.

Well, Lindor just etched his name into the record books. Reportedly, on Saturday, the Mets’ shortstop became the first at his position to notch five different seasons with at least 20 HRs and 20 SBs. And that’s a feat no other shortstop has ever accomplished, according to MLB Network’s Sarah Langs.

Moreover, this year, he’s hitting .255 with 24 HRs, 20 steals, and a .775 OPS. And those numbers sit a bit below his career marks, but Lindor’s impact goes well beyond averages. He’s been one of the defining players of his era, and his combination of power, speed, and leadership still makes him the heartbeat of this Mets team.

Over his last 15 games, he’s hitting .305, and in just the past week, he’s hitting .379 with three HRs and three steals. So, it’s the kind of surge the Mets desperately need, because their season has reached a crossroads. And for the Mets, they have struggled to find consistency. Lindor’s hot bat and veteran presence could be the spark that changes everything.

Nevertheless, the Mets don’t have much time left to flip the script on a disappointing year. And if they’re going to do it, this feels like their last chance. Lindor and McLean heating up might just be the push they need to finally turn the tables.