Washington @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Oct 3, 2015 ) Washington 3, NY Mets 1

After a less-than-inspired effort versus one National League East rival, the New York Mets look to get back on track against another on Saturday when they open a three-game series with a doubleheader versus the visiting Washington Nationals. Division-champion New York was unceremoniously swept by cellar-dwelling Philadelphia on Thursday afternoon and has dropped nine of its last 15 heading into the final series of the regular season.

The Mets (89-70) dropped a 3-0 decision to the Phillies in the finale, and are a half-game behind the Los Angeles Dodgers (90-70) in the race for home-field advantage in the division series. Should the teams end the season with identical records, New York holds the tiebreaker as a result of winning four of the seven meetings with Los Angeles. Jockeying for postseason position is no longer an issue for Washington, which has dropped seven of 10 heading into the final three contests of the campaign. Clint Robinson, who has hit safely in four straight and seven of his last eight games, belted a solo homer in the Nationals' 3-0 victory over Atlanta on Thursday.

TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Max Scherzer (13-12, 2.91 ERA) vs. Mets RH Matt Harvey (13-7, 2.80)

Scherzer posted his second win in four starts on Monday after allowing one run on two hits in eight innings of a 5-1 triumph over Cincinnati. The 31-year-old looks to wrap up the season on a high note versus New York, against which he is 0-2 in three starts this season despite yielding nine runs in 20 2/3 frames. Scherzer was fortunate to walk away with a no-decision in his last meeting with the Mets on Sept. 7 after permitting five runs on seven hits in six innings.

Harvey improved to 5-0 in his last 10 starts after allowing two runs on nine hits in 6 2/3 innings en route to a 10-2 victory over the Reds. The 26-year-old has been taken deep twice in his last nine outings after surrendering 16 homers in his previous 19. Harvey highlighted his 5-0 start to the season with two scoreless outings versus Washington, but yielded 13 runs in his last three meetings with the Nationals.

WALK-OFFS

1. New York rookie LHP Steven Matz, who is nursing a balky back, is slated to pitch out of the bullpen either Saturday or Sunday.

2. Washington OF Bryce Harper is mired in a 4-for-30 stretch over his last nine games.

3. Mets RHP Hansel Robles received a three-game suspension after Major League Baseball deemed that he was "intentionally throwing a pitch in the head area of Cameron Rupp" on Wednesday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Mets 1