Mets seem poised for another Amazin’ run

Sometimes, there’s no explaining this stuff. Maybe that’s the best way to put into proper perspective what the New York Mets are doing.

Or maybe baseball is the same as it ever was.

Maybe the Mets are baseball’s hottest team — New York is 14-4 over its last 18 games — because the Mets have the same ingredients that have defined successful teams for more than a century.

That is, a smart, resourceful front office, a tenacious manager and a bunch of players who’ve kept competing and have focused on what they have instead of what they don’t.

Who saw this coming? When the Mets were swept by the D-backs at home last month, things seemed to be coming undone.

After a 9-0 loss on Aug. 11, manager Terry Collins had an epic postgame rant in which he questioned his players’ effort, respect for the game and desire.

“I don’t care who is not here,” Collins said. “There are no excuses here.”

And then something strange happened. Right after Collins challenged his players, everything changed.

The Mets started winning. And winning. And winning some more. Injuries? Yeah, they had some. Big deal.

In three weeks, they’ve made up 4 1/2 games in the standings and moved into a tie with the Cardinals in the race for the National League’s second Wild Card berth. And the Mets have the easiest remaining schedule — based on opponents’ record — among the contenders.

Wasn’t it in the second half of last season when when the Mets got hot and ended up in the World Series? There could be some of that magic in the air. At the moment, they’re a team without a weakness. Their staff ERA is the second best in baseball (3.11) during the club’s past 18 games. The Mets’ offense is scoring more than five runs a game.

Resilience? They’ve come from behind to win in six of their last nine victories. They’ve hit 27 home runs in the last …

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