Mets’ first-half turnaround to save season had five pivotal moments

First-year manager Carlos Mendoza strongly believes “there’s something special going on” with the Mets, and Pete Alonso noted Sunday there are “good vibes” happening within the team and from the crowds at Citi Field.

The surging Mets arrived at the All-Star break in the third wild-card spot in the National League at 49-46 overall following a slow start, one game clear of the Diamondbacks and Padres

Brandon Nimmo, the longest tenured member of the Mets, has stated multiple times recently that he hopes the resurgent team has shown enough for the front office “to be buyers” at the July 30 deadline.

Team president David Stearns certainly could add more helpful pieces if the winning continues when play resumes Friday in Miami. (Front-end starter Kodai Senga also is expected back soon after missing the entire first half with shoulder and triceps injuries.)

“That’d be fantastic. There’s still two weeks left [before the deadline] and we have to make it easy on them and gotta continue to play good baseball until the end of the month,” Alonso said Sunday before departing for the All-Star Game in Texas. “It would be fantastic, but again we have to earn that and continue to play well and make their job easy.”

Of course, the first half wasn’t always easy for the Mets, who looked like they were going nowhere with a 24-35 record on June 2.

But several pivotal moments and developments helped them turn the season around. Here are five of the most notable ones:

Mets’ Jose Iglesias performs hit song ‘OMG’ at All-Star Game festivities

Mendoza and his players have talked for weeks about the importance of a cathartic team meeting held at Citi Field on May 29 following an ugly three-game sweep by the Dodgers, and one day after immediately-released pitcher Jorge Lopez hurled his glove into the stands .

“I just felt like it was the time. We needed to talk, to look each other in the eye, everybody,” shortstop Francisco Lindor said. “I don’t care if you have one day in the big leagues or 14 years, we’re all teammates, and what matters is winning.

“I feel like we needed to talk to look each other in the eye to say we need to get it done.”

Interestingly, a hitters-only meeting barely one week earlier showed the immediate impact made by veteran acquisition J.D. Martinez.

The six-time All-Star, who hadn’t joined the Mets until late April after signing late in spring training, spoke to his teammates about the importance of having accountability for every at-bat.

Martinez has fortified the middle of the lineup as the everyday designated hitter, a black-hole position for the Mets last year.

Royals’ Seth Lugo has proven Mets wrong with All-Star nod as starter

The 36-year-old Martinez has hit only .189 in 37 July at-bats, but he has contributed 10 homers, 38 RBI and an .806 OPS in 66 games.

The decision to move Lindor into the leadoff spot with Nimmo hitting behind him in mid-June has been a lineup boon.

The Mets are leading the majors in runs scored, home runs, batting average and OPS over the past 30 days, with Lindor and Nimmo leading the way.

Lindor is batting .299 with a robust .906 OPS from the leadoff spot this season, after hitting just .172 from the No. 2 and No. 3 holes earlier this season.

In 28 games batting second, Nimmo is slashing .312/.405/.624 (a 1.029 OPS) with nine homers and 31 RBIs.

“Those guys have just been unconscious at the dish,” Alonso said. “I think the past three to four weeks … those guy have just been lights out.

CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP FOR OUR STARTING LINEUP NEWSLETTER

“The way the lineup is now, one through nine, anybody can hurt you. But Paco and Nimms right at the top, they set the tone right away, and they’ve been doing an unbelievable job.”

That Abbott and Costello bit no longer applies to the Mets, with Mark Vientos seizing the everyday job at third base from demoted Brett Baty after opening the season at Triple-A Syracuse.

The 24-year-old Vientos has further lengthened the lineup with 12 homers and a stellar .291/.347/.549 slash line (.896 OPS) in 51 games.

Jose Iglesias couldn’t even find a major-league job last season, but the 14-year veteran infielder and burgeoning musical star has been a major addition on and off the field for the Mets.

His infectious recording “OMG” also has become a staple at Citi Field — with Iglesias even slated to perform it before Monday’s Home Run Derby .

Iglesias also has been stellar in his on-field role, providing strong defense at second and third base, plus a team-best .999 OPS in 84 plate appearances.

“I don’t think it could get better. What [more] can you ask for?” Iglesias said Sunday. “The team is playing really well, everybody’s healthy heading to the break. It’s just a dream come true.”

For the latest in sports, top headlines, breaking news and more, visit nypost.com/sports/