The air in Queens has felt heavy all summer. Every time Mets fans enter Citi Field, they bring doubts with them. The mood is quieter than celebratory. This season has had moments of hope followed by stretches of disappointment. Early expectations set last winter seem to fade with every wasted rally and bullpen collapse. For a fanbase used to frustration, finding reasons to believe again has become almost a ritual. But sometimes hope doesn’t come from big trades or headlines—it comes quietly from within.

That hope now comes from Mark Vientos , the Mets’ 25-year-old corner infielder. He has grown from a bench option into a key lineup piece, finally finding his stride at exactly the right time.

As of August, he’s hitting 272 with a .331 on-base percentage and .495 slugging percentage, p

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