Washington @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Mar 30, 2016 ) Washington 12, NY Mets 1

After providing loud statements in their last outings, Max Scherzer and Noah Syndergaard look to make noise at the other's expense on Tuesday when the Washington Nationals open a three-game series at the New York Mets. Scherzer became the fourth pitcher in major-league history to record a 20-strikeout performance on Wednesday for Washington, which has dropped two in a row but still holds a 1 1/2-game lead over reeling New York in the National League East.

"That's the team that beat us," the 2013 American League Cy Young Award winner said of the Mets. "Much respect to what they did last year, and they get all the credit and deserve all the credit. It's just that we want to come in and beat you, simple as that." New York isn't deserving of much credit for the way it has played of late, dropping four straight since Syndergaard belted two homers in a 4-3 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers on Wednesday. The fireballing right-hander will get his first look at Daniel Murphy (majors-best .400 average), who signed a three-year, $37.5 million deal with Washington just months removed from launching homers in six straight postseason games during New York's jaunt to the World Series.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MLB Network, MASN (Washington), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (4-2, 4.15 ERA) vs. Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (3-2, 2.53)

When he wasn't striking out the majority of his former team's roster, Scherzer allowed two runs on six hits in the 3-2 complete-game victory over Detroit. The 31-year-old doesn't need to convince New York of his dominance as he highlighted his second no-hitter in 2015 with 17 strikeouts in a 2-0 victory at Citi Field on Oct. 3. New York's Yoenis Cespedes homered in Sunday's 4-3 loss to Colorado and is 3-for-9 with a blast in his career versus Scherzer.

Syndergaard snapped a two-game skid by allowing two runs on six hits in eight innings versus the Dodgers last time out. The 23-year-old handcuffed the Nationals in his last encounter with them, permitting one run on two hits and striking out 10 in seven innings. Bryce Harper is just 4-for-18 in his last nine games overall, but is 3-for-9 in his career versus Syndergaard.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York LF Michael Conforto has hit safely in four straight games and six of his last seven overall, but is 3-for-17 in five career contests versus Washington.

2. Three of Nationals 1B Ryan Zimmerman's last five hits have resulted in home runs.

3. Mets 3B David Wright is 2-for-20 with 11 strikeouts in his last six games.

PREDICTION: Mets 2, Nationals 1