By the time Nolan McLean returned to the mound Friday for the fourth inning — a danger zone for Mets starting pitchers — he had plenty of latitude.

Nolan McLean gave the slumping Mets a boost with seven strong innings for his second career win, and New York beat the Atlanta Braves 12-7.

The Atlanta Braves have a chance to push closer to a playoff spot with a pivotal weekend series against a division foe

The Mets and Braves have had a number of climactic late-season series. This… will not be one of them. But it is a chance for the Braves to extend the Mets’ recent misery, something that, should it happen, we will all relish.

WASHINGTON — Adult Nolan McLean is looking forward to his encore. As is Young Nolan McLean, who grew up in North Carolina rooting for the Braves and listed Chipper Jones among his childhood heroes (which also included a few Orioles and Nationals, plus North Carolinian Josh Hamilton).

Juan Soto's first season with the New York Mets has been an adventure. The Mets season has also been a bit of a rollercoaster ride. After Soto, 26, signed his massive 15-year, $765 million deal with the Mets,