Meet the Mets … C’mon out and greet the Mets.

If you’re a diehard Mets fan, you know those words from the jingle from the 1960s and 70s. Whether or not you’re a fan, the Mets can be a fun team to watch.

Heading into Tuesday night games, the Mets arguably are the best team in baseball. Their 23-13 record was only rivaled by the Dodgers (24-11) and Padres (23-11) by percentage points. You may remember the Dodgers started the season 8-0, and everyone believed they would win 120 games or more.

The Metropolitans are once again doing it with a relatively unknown pitching staff, and riding Pete Alonso’s hot start. I wrote in an earlier column that Juan Soto was coming around, but Soto still hasn’t broken out.

Will it be a Mets-Phillies race for the NL East title? We’re less than 40 games into the season, and there’s a long way to go. It could be very interesting if it does. Don’t count out the Braves, who are starting to show signs of making a run.

Yet, these Mets look like legitimate contenders to win their first NL East title since 2006.

In this version of my Behind the Plate column, I will look at the pitching and hitting stats of the Mets and Phillies, as well as a former Panther Valley pitcher who had a brief stay with the Cubs’ organization and in independent league ball.

Keeping a Low Profile ... The Mets’ presumed No. 1 starter — Sean Manaea — likely won’t be back until late June or early July because he reportedly has fallen behind in his rehab.

Still, this Mets staff really hasn’t missed him. The starters haven’t gone deep into games due to their effective bullpen.

David Peterson (2-1, 3.06) established himself last season as a reliable starter, especially in the postseason. Tylor Megill (3-2, 2.50) has been more consistent than last season, and has earned his spot in the rotation.

The surprises here have been ex-Yankee closer Clay Holmes and ex-Angels castoff Griffin Canning.

Holmes (4-1, 2.95), who collapsed as a closer during the second half of the season in the Bronx last year, has been impressive in his new role despite having the majority of baseball scribes scratching their heads over Mets GM David Stearns’ move. However, Holmes hasn’t pitched beyond the sixth inning, hasn’t allowed a home run and has 36 strikeouts in 39.1 innings.

Canning (5-1, 2.50) looked like a project entering this season, as he brought his 6-13, 5.19 ERA and a league-high 99 earned runs in 171.2 innings. Canning had an overall 25-34, 4.78 ERA in five seasons with the Angels.

This season, Canning has 37 strikeouts in 36 innings. Like Holmes, though, Canning hasn’t pitched past the sixth inning.

With Manaea sidelined, Kodai Senga (3-1, 1.38, 1.16 WHIP, 31 strikeouts in 32.2 innings) has emerged as the staff ace. He has won his last three starts and hasn’t allowed an earned run in any of them.

Aside from the current staff, the Mets also have some young arms in Brandon Sproat — their top prospect — and fellow hurler Nolan McLean — rated third in their system. Blade Tidwell, the No. 12 prospect, made a shaky debut Sunday against the Cardinals, but his stock is still high.

When Manaea returns, the staff has the potential to maintain their status as being one of the best in the game.

Overall, their starters have pitched to a combined 2.91 ERA with a 1.25 WHIP.

No Bull-pen ... One of the keys to the Mets success has been their bullpen. They have a 3.18 ERA — seventh best in baseball— with 11 saves and a 1.18 WHIP.

Edwin Diaz looks to be back to his old form with eight saves, but he had a 3.86 ERA. Along with Diaz, the Mets have been supported by Reid Garrett (0.59) and Huascar Brazoban (1.25).

A.J. Minter, who was signed as a free agent, was pitching to a 1.64 ERA before the lefty suffered a season-ending lat injury.

Phil-Ups ... Taking a look at the Phillies starters, they have a combined 3.94 ERA with a 1.28 WHIP.

Jesus Luzardo (3-0, 1.94) and Cristopher Sanchez (3-1. 345) have stepped to the forefront, while Aaron Nola (1-5, 4.61) has struggled to find his niche. Zack Wheeler (2-1, 3.48 before Tuesday’s start) may be settling into his form after a slow start.

But the Phils’ bullpen continues to be the problem with an ERA of 4.91 and nine saves with eight blown saves. Jose Alvarado (3-1, 3.18) has six saves, but two blown ones.

Getting Offensive ... Alonso is having an MVP year with his .349 average, nine homers, 33 RBIs, and 12 doubles. He certainly has taken the pressure off Soto and his slow start. With a handful of players off to good starts, you have to wonder where the Mets would be without him.

Francisco Lindor is starting to hit with his seven homers, 22 RBIs, and a .289 average. Brandon Nimmo has seven homers and 21 RBIs, but hasn’t been consistent with a .217 average.

The Phillies can’t match Alonso’s output, but Kyle Schwarber has 11 homers, 26 RBIs. Schwarber’s propensity for strikeouts again has limited his average to .242.

Bryce Harper is only hitting .234 with his six homers and 17 RBIs. Trea Turner is at .297, but he has just one homer and 11 RBIs. Nick Castellanos has a respectable .276, three homers, 17 RBIs line.

Johan Rojas has taken over in center field with a .302 clip, but can he be consistent or the rest of the season?

The Mets are hitting. 253, while the Phillies surprisingly are hitting .255.

Scrapbook ... Each column, I’ll look back at a former standout from the area.

Matt Maradeo was a 2001 graduate from Panther Valley, where he was a star on the diamond for the Panthers, and then went on to excel at Northampton Community College.

While at NCC, Maradeo set five individual pitching records: most games started, most games pitched, best career won-loss record, most career wins, and best career ERA.

Maradeo transferred to Kutztown University, where he posted a 14-8 record with a 2.72 ERA with 173 strikeouts and 48 walks. His ERA ranks third in school history. He earned PSAC First-Team All-League honors and ABCA North Atlantic All-Region honors in 2005 and 2006.

From there, Maradeo signed a contract with the Cubs.

The right-hander made his debut in 2007 with Arizona of the Rookie League, and had a 1-1 record with a 10.24 ERA.

Maradeo had his best season with Class A Peoria when he went 0-3 with a 2.96 ERA and struck out 45 batters in 45.2 innings. Playing under future manager Ryne Sandberg, Maradeo limited hitters to a .197 batting average and handcuffed right-handed hitters to a .055 average.

He finished his career playing two seasons with Washington and one with Florence, both of the Frontier League. Overall, he went 2-1 with a 6.05 ERA in 44 games with 56 strikeouts in 61 innings in three years.

Memory Lane ... Each week, I’ll look back at a former player, coach, manger or media personality from our yesterday.

Do you remember outfielder/pinch hitter Jose Cardenal, and his wide afro hanging out from his batting helmet? He played for the Phillies in the 1978 and 1979 seasons and hit .241 overall in 116 games. The Phils acquired him from the Cubs in October of 1977 for pitcher Manny Seaone.

Cardenal played for the Mets for two seasons from 1979-80, as he was purchased by the Mets from the Phils in August of 1979. He hit .228 with the Mets in 37 games.

Overall, Cardenal played 18 seasons, having other stops with the Cubs (six years), Angels, Indians, Cardinals, Giants, Brewers and ended his career with the Royals in 1980 after he was released by the Mets.

In his 18 seasons, Cardenal hit .275 with 138 homers, 775 RBIs and 329 stolen bases. The Cuban-born outfielder is the cousin of former A’s shortstop Bert Campaneris.

Your thoughts are always welcomed; email them to tnsports@tnonline.com