Mets president of baseball operations David Stearns isn't surprised to see this group step up down the stretch with star Francisco Lindor sidelined with a back injury.

Mets shortstop Francisco Lindor’s earliest return to New York’s lineup from a back injury likely is Tuesday night’s series opener at the Atlanta Braves

It was the pitching, though, that told the story of the night. Manager Carlos Mendoza pulled David Peterson from a two-run game after 3 2/3 innings and 64 pitches. Peterson clearly was not in top form — he had allowed eight hits and four runs and had another runner on base — but it nonetheless represented a very quick hook.

Red October, here we come. The Phillies dismantled the Mets on Friday, 12-2, punching their ticket to the postseason for the third consecutive season.