Here are three keys for the Mets as they begin the second half of the season against the Pirates on Friday night in Pittsburgh.

Jacob deGrom and Taijuan Walker pitched at All-Star levels in the first half and Marcus Stroman wasn’t far behind. That trio will need to keep up the good work.

It speaks volumes the Mets didn’t have an All-Star position player. Francisco Lindor, Michael Conforto, Dominic Smith and Jeff McNeil need to produce at higher levels in the second half than they did in the first.

Carlos Carrasco’s return near the end of the month will help, but another arm for the rotation or bullpen (or both) would provide a level of comfort for manager Luis Rojas.