The Mets entered Tuesday a game up on Atlanta for the third and final wild card in the National League and a game behind Arizona for the second spot. But if they want to actually extend their season into October, the Mets will need more from their lineup especially with . From Brandon Nimmo, who wasnt in the lineup against Washington with lefties on the mound Tuesday and Wednesday and more left-handed starters to come when Philadelphia gets to Citi Field on Thursday, to J.D. Martinez, who entered Tuesday hitle s in his previous 20 at-bats. Mets third baseman Mark Vientos grounds into a double play against the Nationals. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Those veteran hitters, though, have long track records of succe s and the Mets have no choice but to keep rolling with them even with Nimmos slump dating all the way back to July. Mark Vientos, although hes probably been the teams most consistent offensive force outside of Lindor, doesnt have the same rsum. Explore More After spending most of the first month and a half at Triple-A Syracuse, Vientos emerged Miles Mikolas Jersey as the starting third baseman and one of the most prolific players in the league at the position. Lately, though, that hasnt been the case. Vientos had a rough series in Philadelphia including a four-strikeout game which Carlos Mendoza attributed to him facing some tough right-handers. His difficulties at the plate began before the Phillies series, as Vientos entered Tuesday in a 3-for-34 rut, with three walks and 15 strikeouts. Brandon Nimmo may have his opportunities limited with plenty of lefties on tap against the Mets. Carlos Toro/New York Post That didnt stop Mendoza from putting Vientos in the cleanup spot versus Washington lefty Mitchell Parker. The reason? Vientos entered Tuesday with the 12th-best OPS in the majors among qualified hitters against lefty pitching at .981. But the Mets are looking for Vientos to be more than just comfortable versus lefties and Mendoza has talked to Vientos about not getting frustrated during his ill-timed slump. Weve had those conversations informally, Mendoza said. Its about keeping him going. Hes playing every day at the big-league level and in the middle of a [playoff] race. Every game, every pitch, thats part of the development. Its just that this development is coming with the season on the line and Lindor, the teams MVP candidate, out. And hes not getting much help from the likes of Nimmo, who entered Tuesday without a multi-hit game since Aug. 29. Mets designated hitter J.D. Martinez entered Tuesdays game hitle s in his last 20 at-bats. Charles Wenzelberg / New York Post Delivering insights on all things Amazins Sign up for Inside the Mets by Mike Puma, exclusively on Sports+ Thank you By clicking above you agree to the and . Enjoy this Post Sports+ exclusive newsletter! Francisco Alvarezs has taken another wrong turn, as hes in a 10-for-65 slump with just two homers during that stretch. Even with the recent downturn, the 24-year-old Vientos still leads the team in slugging percentage, OPS and OPS-plus, which is what gives Mendoza confidence hell right himself soon. I think hes handling it really well, Mendoza said. Thats what good players do at this level. In order for you to be a productive player, you have to have that ability to make adjustments. Weve seen it from him. The Phillies bullpen is really good right-on-right. Now he knows what it takes. The next test comes over the next 11 games, . Bobby Tolan Jersey