The slugging Mets that were expected to launch on Opening Day nearly took until Labor Day to finally hit their stride. But with five weeks left in the regular season, a playoff berth to lock down and plans for a deep October , the timing could not be better.

Credit the pitching staff’s overachieving first three months for providing the safety net that kept the Mets alive in the wild-card race after the All-Star break. If not for that early cushion, and boasting MLB’s best rotation — statistically speaking — this season might already be in shambles.

But with the rotation now in flux and the bullpen showing some troubling cracks, the Mets could use the bats to bail them out. So far this month, the lineup seems primed for the task. Heading into Wednesday night’s series finale, with a swee

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