Washington @ New York preview
Citi Field
Last Meeting ( Mar 28, 2013 ) NY Mets 1, Washington 5
Two of the game's most promising young pitchers will square off as Washington Nationals' ace Stephen Strasburg faces Matt Harvey of the New York Mets in the opener of a three-game series Friday at Citi Field in New York. It's the first meeting of the season between the National League East rivals. Washington dominated the series last year, winning 14 of 18 meetings.
The Nationals had a day off Thursday after taking two of three at Miami to bounce back from a three-game sweep against Atlanta. Washington is beginning a stretch of 17 games in 17 days. The Mets have lost three straight, but they continue to swing hot bats. Their 81 runs through the first 13 games were the most in franchise history.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (1-2, 2.95 ERA) vs. Mets RH Matt Harvey (3-0, 0.82)
Strasburg was dominant on Opening Day, but has lost his last two starts. He pitched well enough to win Saturday against Atlanta, allowing two unearned runs over six innings and striking out a season-high seven. Strasburg has been lights-out against the Mets, going 2-0 with a 1.50 ERA in three starts. He struck out 20 in 13 innings over two starts against New York last season.
Harvey has been one of the most dominant pitchers in the majors so far, allowing two runs and six hits in 22 innings over his first three starts — all wins. He has struck out six or more in each outing and took a no-hitter into the seventh last time out against Minnesota. Harvey lost his only previous start against the Nationals despite holding them to one run over five innings and striking out 10.
WALK-OFFS
1. Nationals 2B Danny Espinosa hopes to return to the lineup after missing three straight games with a bruised right hand.
2. Mets 1B Ike Davis (3-for-8, one homer) is the only player on the team with an extra-base hit against Strasburg. New York captain David Wright is 1-for-6 with four strikeouts against him.
3. The Mets had hit at least one home run in the first 12 games before not going deep Tuesday, ending a franchise-record 12-game streak to start a season.
PREDICTION: Mets 3, Nationals 2