Phils visit Mets in matchup of teams with fading playoff hopes

Winning ugly sure beats the alternative. Just ask the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Mets.

The Phillies will hope to build off an unusual win -- and the Mets will be looking to end yet another untimely late-season skid -- when Philadelphia visits New York on Friday in the opener of a three-game series between teams trying to climb back into the National League playoff race.

Zack Wheeler (13-9, 2.86 ERA) is scheduled