Jacob deGrom’s Cy Young campaign attached outsized meaning to each start at the tail end of last season. This year, he could be pitching for even more down the stretch.

The ace responsible for repeatedly elevating the Mets lifted the team to new — well, technically, old — heights at Citi Field, as deGrom allowed two runs, and drove in a pair, to bring the suddenly surging franchise back to .500 for the first time since May 28, with a 6-2 win over the Marlins in the opener of Monday’s doubleheader.

The Mets, who have won 10 of their past 11 games, and hold a major league-best 16-6 record since the All-Star break, entered the day just three games out of the second wild-card spot in the National League, and in position to hold a winning record for the first time since May 2.

“It’s exciting,” deGrom said. “I think it’s definitely another step, but we still have to win baseball games to get back into the wild card. We still got work to do. I think everybody in there knows that.”

After opening the second half with a loss at Miami, the Mets fell 11 games under. But for the third time in franchise history, the Mets reached .500 after falling at least 10 games under .500 in a season — first accomplished by the 1973 Mets, who came within one win of claiming the 1973 World Series — according to Elias Sports Bureau.

“It means a lot,” manager Mickey Callaway said. “I think these guys have stayed focused. They knew they can do something special, and they’re gonna continue to strive to do that. … We know we’re far from our goal. We’re gonna continue to climb and climb and climb, and scratch and claw, and I have a feeling these guys are gonna do that.”

The only bad news was learning Robinson Cano’s season could be over after the second baseman was placed on the injured list with a torn left hamstring, which he suffered during Sunday’s win in Pittsburgh. No surgery is required, but there is no timetable for his return.

DeGrom (7-7), whose own record reached .500 for the first time since April 26, pitched seven innings for the fourth straight start, allowing five hits and one walk, with eight strikeouts. Support for the right-hander — entering with a 2.04 ERA since May 22, but a 5-8 record in those outings — was simplified in a matchup against Miami starter Robert Dugger, a former 18th-round pick making his major league debut.

Dugger’s first rookie mistake came on his first career pitch, hanging a slider to Jeff McNeil, who slugged his 14th home run of the season. Amed Rosario added a solo homer in the third, and deGrom increased the cushion by ripping a two-run, bases-loaded single in the fourth, putting the Mets up 4-1. It was deGrom’s third career multi-RBI game.

Making his fifth start against Miami this year, deGrom allowed three doubles in the first three innings, with the Marlins jumping on a series of first pitches. Miami briefly tied the score in the second, but deGrom quickly recovered, retiring nine straight, until a sixth-inning solo homer by Isan Diaz.

“Early on, I felt like my arm was dragging a little bit,” said deGrom, who threw 94 pitches (69 strikes). “[Then], I was able to throw the ball pretty well. … These guys went out and put up runs for me early, and then I was just trying to attack and get them back in the dugout as soon as I could.”

After Justin Wilson pitched a scoreless eighth, Edwin Diaz allowed two base runners in a non-save situation, but escaped unscathed, striking out Jorge Alfaro to clinch the Mets’ unlikely ascent back to .500.