Mets Open Second Half With Big Games Against Cards, Nats

If the New York Mets and Terry Collins are to keep their playoff hopes alive, they'll need to do something they've struggled with in recent years: A good start to the second half.

The Mets resume play after the All-Star break just two games back of the Washington Nationals in NL East and only a game out of a wild card spot.

Noah Syndergaard gets the ball as the Mets get back into action on Friday night in St. Louis. They'll play three at the NL Central leading Cardinals before heading to Washington to square off with the Nats.

Here's how the schedule breakdown as the Mets look for chase down a postseason spot for the first time since 2006:

• 3 @ St. Louis
• 3 @ Washington
• 4 vs. LA Dodgers
• 3 vs. SD Padres
• 3 vs. Washington

From there, there is a slight break in the competitiveness of the schedule as the Mets get the Marlins, Rays and Rockies.

Hopefully, the All-Star break proves to be the timeout the team's offense needs to get back on the track to support what has been an outstanding top to bottom starting rotation so far in 2015.

David Wright's return is still up in the air and GM Sandy Alderson willingness or ability to pull the trigger on a trade appears to be doubt.