Sean Manaea delivered another strong performance as the New York Mets secured a 3-2 win over the Atlanta Braves in the first game of a doubleheader at Citi Field on Wednesday. Manaea allowed two runs over six innings, improving on a recent stretch of effective pitching that has coincided with the approach of Major League Baseball’s trade deadline on Monday.

The left-hander’s recent outings have reflected a resurgence of the form that prompted the Mets to sign him to a three-year, $75 million contract prior to last season. On Friday, Manaea held the Los Angeles Dodgers to one earned run over six innings, and against Atlanta, he carried a shutout into the sixth inning before Matt Olson hit a two-run homer to tie the game.

Interim manager Andy Green praised Manaea’s confidence and command, noting an increase in velocity and a more aggressive approach on the mound. “I see someone who is on the attack the entire time,” Green said. “Had that game spun a little bit differently, it would have been a situation where going seven or eight innings was entirely possible. I didn’t see him tiring.” Manaea’s ERA dropped to 4.42 following the outing, during which he allowed five hits and two walks while striking out four over 89 pitches.

The Mets’ offense broke through in the fifth inning, opening the scoring with a double by Francisco Alvarez that drove in a run, followed by a sacrifice fly from A.J. Ewing. After Olson’s homer tied the game, Carson Benge delivered the go-ahead RBI double in the seventh inning, capping the rally that put New York ahead.

Manaea, 34, acknowledged the hard work invested throughout the year and expressed satisfaction with his current mechanics and approach despite uncertainty surrounding the trade deadline. With roughly $33 million owed to him over the next two seasons, Manaea’s contract is a significant consideration for the Mets as they evaluate potential moves. While pitchers Freddy Peralta and Clay Holmes are also expected to be available for trade—Peralta struggling with a 4.99 ERA and Holmes recovering from a fractured fibula—Manaea’s role as a potential rotation anchor remains a key question.

In the second game of the doubleheader, the Mets fell 1-0 as the Braves’ Chris Sale and bullpen combined to limit New York to just two hits. Mets starter Christian Scott allowed one earned run on five hits over six innings, recording seven strikeouts and lowering his ERA to 2.99. Olson contributed again with an RBI single in the sixth inning, providing the game’s only run.

Scott described his outing as a milestone for the season, marking the first time he completed six innings. “I felt I have had a couple opportunities to go six this season, but at the end I wasn’t able,” he said. “Hopefully the next one is seven.”

As the trade deadline nears, the Mets face critical decisions about their pitching staff, balancing short-term playoff ambitions with longer-term roster and financial considerations. Manaea’s recent performances have reintroduced a valuable element to their rotation, though whether that will remain unchanged after Monday remains to be seen.