New York Mets - Philadelphia Phillies

The Mets and the Phillies will play Game 2 of their series tonight.  New York will send rookie-pitcher Gabriel Ynoa to the mound.  Ynoa made his first big league start Sunday against the Twins. He is 1-0 with a 9.00 ERA in seven appearances.  Ynoa faces Phillies right-hander Jeremy Hellickson (12-9, 3.57 ERA), who threw the second shutout of his career in his last start last weekend against the Marlins. Hellickson is 1-2 with a 6.75 ERA in four starts this season against the Mets.  New York enters Game 2 tied for the first National League Wild Card spot with the Giants and a half-game in front of the St. Louis Cardinals.  With that said, I am picking the New York Mets with the spread of (+1.5) Runs.

UPDATE September 24, 2016 - FINAL Result: New York Mets 10-5 Philadelphia Phillies.  New York won Game 2 of the series, but their managers had to use six pitchers and 20 players Friday in a 10-5 win over the Phillies, in order to give the Mets a 1 1/2-game National League Wild Card lead over the Cardinals. Mets' starting pitcher, Gabriel Ynoa, was removed after only 2-two innings. He allowed two runs on five hits.  Outfielder Michael Conforto hit his first home run since August for the Mets, who toppled Philadelphia's bullpen with a 6-six-run rally in the 5th inning and a three-run outburst in the 7th inning. Phillies starter Jeremy Hellickson could not escape the 4th inning, giving up 6-six runs on 7-seven hits and three walks. With only 8 games to play, New York Mets moved a game up on the San Francisco Giants [who lost 2-7 in San Diego] for the best record among NL Wild Card contenders.