The Mets are relying on three rookie starters for their playoff push and the veteran staff has helped guide the young pitchers.

After looking defeated following a disastrous first two innings, Mets manager Carlos Mendoza pulled Manaea into the dugout tunnel for a talk and the left-hander went on to pitch three scoreless innings. However, the damage was done and Manaea suffered his third loss of the season.

In Tuesday’s 8-3 win against the San Diego Padres, the Mets deployed a strategy that could be the elixir to their ever-present starting pitching woes. Instead of relying on one starter to provide length, they utilized two — Clay Holmes and Sean Manaea — in a piggyback situation to beat a team they’re chasing in the NL Wild Card standings.

When he takes the mound for Triple-A Syracuse on Thursday night, Kodai Senga might be pitching for a spot on the New York Mets' postseason pitching staff.