Francisco Alvarez was the Mets' missing postseason threat

Mets manager Carlos Mendoza sat at the podium inside Citi Field and expressed confidence that Francisco Alvarez will find his rhythm in the postseason.

Until now, that simply hasn't been the case.

Even though the Mets have two series wins under their belt, the young catcher has struggled offensively. And if the NLCS heads to New York against a loaded Dodgers team with a 1-1 tie, they'll likely need Alvarez's bat to get him.

In nine postseason appearances this year, he went 5-of-32 with 10 strikeouts and a slash line of .156/.182/.156.

What also stood out: his struggles with runners on base. Alvarez left seven runners left in three at-bats in Game 2 in Los Angeles, including a two-run chance in the second, and the Mets led just 2-0 – although Mark Vientos' dramatic grand slam saved it.

Mendoza didn't think the 22-year-old would tire after the long season, but admitted he “sometimes tries to do a little too much” with runners on base.

“But he’s a good hitter, man,” Mendoza said during the Mets’ practice at Citi Field on Tuesday. “I like the conviction. I like that he is aggressive. And he will continue to get opportunities because he is a big part of this team.”

Alvarez was effective behind the plate for the Mets, where he ended Shohei Ohtani's stolen base streak with a pickoff throw in the second inning of Game 1.

And Alvarez worked well with the Mets' pitching staff, with Edwin Diaz crediting him with the pitch call during a crucial hit against Enrique Hernández in the eighth that killed a Dodgers scoring chance.

Mendoza noted that it would take some adjustments at the plate for Alvarez to find his offense again and that things would change.

“You're dealing with top-notch pitching and you're going to have to make some adjustments because it's going to be tough,” the Mets manager explained. “They have good scouting reports. Like I said, you have to make adjustments. I think he tried a little too much with runners, especially in the last game, but he’ll be fine.”

Alvarez has been on the roster for every game this postseason, and if Mendoza's words Tuesday night are any indication, it appears he isn't considering a move yet.

Alvarez and the rest of the Mets lineup will have to deal with righty Walker Buehler on the mound in Game 3 on Wednesday and Yoshinobu Yamamoto for the Dodgers in Game 4.