Carlos Mendoza said he does not want “yes men” around him, and sure enough in the dugout he was only hearing “no.” In Tuesday’s sixth inning, a tottering Sean Manaea walked Kyle Schwarber and Trea Turner.

The Mets have granted Carlos Mendoza a lot of autonomy during a time when managers are not always guaranteed the same decision-making freedom.

The Mets, at one point projected as a long shot to even make the playoffs, are in it, and have stolen home field advantage from the Phillies. While they might have every reason to be excited, manager Carlos Mendoza is keeping the focus on the business ahead of them.