The set-up: New York has been scuffling all season, but the good new is that the rest of the division has as well. The Mets though now start a very favorable stretch of 13 games vs. fourth and fifth place teams and I think they'll get the journey started off on the "right foot" tonight. The visitors hand the ball to the volatile Pablo Lopez (2-4, 4.03 ERA), while the home side counters with Zack Wheeler (2-2, 4.64).

The pitchers: Lopez comes in off a good start vs. the Braves on Sunday, going six scoreless. Lopez gave up two runs over six innings in a 5-2 win in his only matchup vs. the Mets.

Wheeler comes in off a decent outing vs. the Brewers on Saturday, allowing two runs over seven innings and I look for him to carry that momentum over here. Note as well that Wheeler is 5-2 with a 1.89 ERA in 11 career starts vs. the Fish.

The pick: The Mets have a big opportunity to catch the Phillies here, who only sit 4.5 games ahead in the NL East. The Marlins are the worst offensive team in the league and I think they'll struggle with production against the suddenly improving Wheeler. Lay the price.

NY Mets

10* play