PHILADELPHIA -- Even losing seasons can be speckled with bright spots. One unfolded for the Mets in the ninth inning Friday at Citizens Bank Park, where rookie third baseman Brett Baty launched a game-tying, 432-foot, 110.2-mph homer off Craig Kimbrel.

These sorts of moments have been few and far between for Baty, who struggled thoroughly enough earlier this season to earn a Minor League demotion and has only recently begun showing signs of improvement. Baty’s homer was his second in three days, marking his third consecutive game with an RBI hit. And while it wasn’t enough for the Mets to avoid a walk-off, 5-4 loss to the Phillies in 10 innings, which mathematically eliminated New York from playoff contention, it was nonetheless a moment worth noting.

“It definitely gives me a little bit of confidence,” Baty said. “Hitting the ball hard gives me confidence.”

The fact that the Mets are now mathematically eliminated changes little for a club that has been effectively out of contention for months. Although there will be no postseason games at Citi Field this year, there’s still plenty worth watching over the final week-plus of the season. Such as:

Can Francisco Lindor join the 30-30 club?
When asked about this possibility earlier this month, Lindor responded: “Pray for me.” Hitting 30 homers and stealing 30 bases is one of the game’s rarer feats, which Lindor longs to accomplish. He’s already checked off the second part of the equation, stealing his 30th base -- a career high -- on Thursday night. And he moved one home run closer to his goal with a solo shot off Gregory Soto in the eighth inning Friday.

Lindor now has 27 homers, but it would hardly be outlandish for him to pop three more over the season’s final eight games, which is why manager Buck Showalter plans to defer to Lindor’s playing time desires down the stretch -- even if that means playing every remaining inning of every remaining game.

“I’m very respectful of what he’s done, which not many people can do,” Showalter said. “He’s going to score probably 100 runs, 90-100 RBI and be a force for us defensively and be in the running for the Gold Glove. Everybody wants to pick things apart, but we’re lucky to have him.”

How will Mets depth pitchers finish their seasons?
Over the past few weeks, David Peterson, Tylor Megill, José Butto and Joey Lucchesi have all pitched consistently better than at earlier points of the season, making case after case for their inclusion in the team’s 2024 plans. Some of the finest outings have belonged to Megill, who appeared headed to another one Friday before J.T. Realmuto hit a go-ahead three-run homer off him with two outs in the sixth inning.

That was the bad. The good is that Megill hasn’t allowed more than three runs in a game in six weeks, pitching to a 3.35 ERA over that stretch.

“For the most part, I feel like since I’ve gotten back, I’ve been throwing the ball really well,” said Megill, who has primarily been pleased with his health. Friday’s outing was his 30th start of the season, including games in the Majors and at Triple-A.

Where will Pete Alonso’s numbers end up?
Much like Lindor, Alonso is proud of his ability to post up daily for a team that doesn’t necessarily need him to, given the Mets’ place in the standings. Doing so has not only helped morale around the clubhouse, but also Alonso’s statistical bottom line. On Friday, Alonso was feeling ill, so he shifted from first base to designated hitter rather than drop out of the lineup altogether.

Despite the sickness, Alonso drove home the Mets’ first run with a ground-rule double to increase his RBI total to 115 -- second in the National League. He’s tied with Kyle Schwarber for second in homers and, while Alonso won’t lead the league in either category, he has a chance to finish runner-up to Matt Olson in both. A hot streak over the season’s final week could even bring Alonso, who’s currently at 45 home runs, close to the next round number of 50.