The New York Mets' pitching staff has been performing well, but manager Carlos Mendoza faced a tough decision during a recent game against the Philadelphia Phillies. With the Mets leading 5-0 in the ninth, he pushed pitcher Max Kranick to pitch a third inning, which backfired when he allowed a run. This led to Mendoza quickly warming up closer Edwin Diaz, illustrating the fine line managers walk between securing a win and risking future games.

Edwin Diaz ultimately secured the save, but not before Bryson Stott's three-run homer created a tense moment. A.J. Minter, another key pitcher for the Mets, has been excelling this season with a sub-2.00 ERA, but he's still working on rebuilding his velocity post-surgery. The friendly competition within the bullpen is driving performance, making it crucial for the team's success against strong NL East rivals.