ATLANTA — Bonds were built this season around a Latin pop song and McDonald’s mascot. The 2024 Mets were wild and weird in all of the ways fans have come to appreciate, but this year, there was more fun and less dysfunction. With only six games left, the Mets only need to beat the Atlanta Braves to clinch a playoff berth. Of course, the last time they went to Atlanta with a playoff spot on the line and their three best pitchers lined up, it didn’t quite work out. The Braves swept the Mets out of winning the NL East two years ago and they lost steam in the Wild Card round against the San Diego Padres. But this is a much different team. “This is where you want to be and we’re all going to enjoy it,” president of baseball operations David Stearns said last week. “It’s going to continue to be a roller coaster. These are never smooth paths or smooth sailings, whether it’s now or into October. There are really high highs, and there are heartbreaks as well, and we’re at the point of the season where the emotions are heightened in both directions… “That’s a really good thing.” How did the Mets get here after completely imploding in May and treading water in July and August? It’s been a good month, one bolstered by starting pitching, an MVP performance by Francisco Lindor, timely run production and some savvy management from rookie skipper Carlos Mendoza. Here’s how the Mets have put themselves in a position to clinch a trip to the playoffs this week. STARTING PITCHING Back in August, the Mets had a soft schedule they failed to take advantage of. When they lost a series to the Oakland A’s after walking a season-high 11 hitters, it looked as though the Mets wouldn’t have enough starting pitching to get them through the season. There was some worry that walks would be the downfall of the season. If it weren’t for the historically bad Chicago White Sox, the Mets would have led all of baseball in walks. It was a problem they didn’t have a straight answer for, but they promised to fix the problem. Slowly, they have. Over the last 30 days, the Mets have posted the third-lowest walk rate in baseball and the lowest in the NL. They’ve cut back from walking nearly 4.0 hitters per nine innings to 2.64. They’ve also posted the lowest ERA in the NL in September. Fewer walks amounted to fewer runs allowed. The Mets will throw Luis Severino, Sean Manaea and David Peterson this week in Atlanta, but beyond them, even Tylor Megill and Jose Quintana have been excellent in their recent outings. Quintana, a veteran left-hander who has had two dismal slumps this season, hasn’t allowed an earned run in 20 2/3 innings. He’s kept the ball on the ground and a mechanical change has helped him limit his walks. Megill, who spent much of the season on the injured list or in Triple-A, has posted a 1.78 ERA over five starts since Aug. 30. The Mets were about to put him in the bullpen when Paul Blackburn was injured, and the big righty has risen to the occasion. The starting staff has been pushing one another. And they’ve done all of this without right-hander Kodai Senga, the ace who has once again suffered a setback in his rehab from a calf strain. “It’s a really good, healthy competition for all of the starters to go deep,” Quintana said. “We celebrate, we help each other every night and push for any starter on the mound or any reliever. It’s amazing to be a part of this group.” Two weeks ago in Toronto, the Mets looked at the OMG sign the hitters have been using to celebrate home runs. They decided to get in on the action and use it to celebrate seven-inning starts and shutouts. Severino decided they needed a sign of their own. Lo and behold, it appeared in the dugout one day. AGGRESSIVE BASEBALL Mendoza said he was going to be aggressive with his bench and bullpen in September. The Mets are all for it. Once the calendar flipped to September, the Mets upped the level of intensity. “You leave everything you’ve got out on the field,” said outfielder Brandon Nimmo. “You definitely do have a little more energy and a little more adrenaline for these games.” “Sleep, recover, get some good food and wash, rinse, repeat,” said first baseman Pete Alonso. “Then we’re on to the next one at 7:10, or whatever game-time is.” This can be an exhausting way to play. It’s left some wondering how long they’ll be able to maintain this sense of urgency, but the adrenaline of the playoffs certainly helps. Mendoza isn’t worried. “I want them to enjoy it and I want them to embrace it because that’s what you play for,” Mendoza said. “You prepare all offseason, you take care of these guys for 5-6 months, so when you do get to this time, and the energy is high, it’s a packed house, every pitch matters and the games on the line, it’s what you signed up for.” YOUTH INFUSION There were valid questions about how the Mets would produce offensively without Lindor. Mark Vientos has blossomed into a power-hitting third baseman. He’s hit 25 home runs this season and has an OPS+ of 136 (100 is average). Maybe the most important part of his season was last month when he struggled at the plate. He showed he can hit his way out of it. Luisangel Acuña didn’t have a great season in Triple-A, but the Mets have been thinking that maybe he just needed more of a challenge. “I’ve been impressed with his ability to handle adversity,” Mendoza said. “That was one of the things for him in Triple-A when he didn’t have the season that he probably would have expected, but he battled through it. He continued to work, he continued to grind.” Vientos, Acuña and catcher Francisco Alvarez have not only lengthened the lineup, but they’ve given the Mets some youthful energy. It’s a nice complement to the energy that Lindor, Nimmo and Alonso bring, and to non-stop positivity that infielder Jose Iglesias has brought. The baby Mets might not have the musical stylings of Iglesias, aka “Candelita,” but they’ve played big roles in the team’s success. More than anything, the Mets have focused on having fun. The OMG sign and the starting pitcher celebrations have given them something to look forward to in each game. It sounds so simple, but they insist they play better when they’re enjoying themselves on the field. There will be plenty to look forward to if the Mets reach the Wild Card round.