N.L. WILD-CARD GAME » GIANTS AT N.Y. METS

The Giants face the Mets at Citi Field on Wednesday in a onegame playoff, with the winner advancing to face the Cubs. Here’s what you need to know about the wild-card game: First pitch: Wednesday, 5 p.m., ESPN

Probable starters: Giants left-hander Madison Bumgarner (15-9, 2.74) vs. right-hander Noah Syndergaard (14-9, 2.60)

This year: Both teams finished 87-75. New York won the season series 4-3, but the Giants won two of three at Citi Field.

How they’ve matched up: Bumgarner beat Syndergaard 6-1 in New York on May 1, throwing six shutout innings in their only head-to-head meeting. Syndergaard pitched 8 innings of a 2-0 Mets shutout on Aug. 21 in San Francisco, allowing just two hits in a win over Jeff Samardzija.

Who’s hot: The Giants starting pitchers, who were 5-1 with a 1.84 ERA over the final six games, and Sergio Romo is 3for-3 in save opportunities since taking over the ninth inning. Brandon Belt finished the final homestand 9 for 21 (.429). Asdrubal Cabrera hit .405 in August and .317 in September to lead the Mets’ offensive attack.

Who’s not: Second baseman Joe Panik continues to struggle for the Giants, with just eight hits in his final 60 at-bats of the regular season (.133) Yoenis Cespedes hit just .224 in September for the Mets, but did crack four homers and remains New York’s primary power threat.

Key for each team: For the Giants, it’s believing in the even year magic of 2016. For the Mets, it’s getting a lead late for closer Jeurys Familia, who has 51 saves.

Bottom line: The Giants have revived their first-half fortunes, when they posted the best record in baseball, over the final week. The Mets, despite myriad injuries, won five of seven over the final week to hold on to the top wild-card spot. In a one-game sudden-death playoff, the Giants’ defense could be pivotal. They led the league in defense, committing just 72 errors. In the dugouts, the Giants would appear to have the edge with Bruce Bochy over Terry Collins.