NEW YORK --
FIRST PITCH: The statistic tells the story of just how daunting the New York Mets’ challenge is: Teams that win the opening two games of a best-of-seven postseason series go on to capture the series 83.3 percent of the time, according to the Elias Sports Bureau.
Of course, the last three exceptions in the World Series are the 1996 New York Yankees, 1986 Mets and 1985 Kansas City Royals.
Rookie Noah Syndergaard now must step up for the Amazin’s. With the Mets in an 0-2 hole, Syndergaard opposes right-hander Yordano Ventura on Friday at 8:07 p.