NEW YORK -- The St. Louis Cardinals remained in the wild-card chase until game No. 159 last season. The New York Mets began playing out the string around Memorial Day.
But the sting of missing the playoffs is the same for both clubs, who will look to begin their charge back to the postseason Thursday when the Mets host the Cardinals in Opening Day action at Citi Field.
New York right-hander Noah Syndergaard (1-2, 2.97 ERA in seven starts last year) is scheduled to oppose St. Louis right-hander Carlos Martinez (12-11, 3.