New York @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Sep 24, 2014 ) NY Mets 0, Washington 0

The Washington Nationals enter Thursday's doubleheader with the visiting New York Mets having won nine of their last 10 games. The Nationals are battling the Los Angeles Dodgers for the best record in the National League, so it became critical to make up Wednesday's rained-out contest even though the Mets are eliminated from playoff contention. New York had won three straight before dropping a 4-2 decision in Tuesday's series opener.

Adam LaRoche hit a three-run homer in that contest for Washington, which also has a doubleheader scheduled for Friday against the Miami Marlins. The Nationals have played one doubleheader this season, taking a pair from the Chicago Cubs on June 28 by the combined score of 10-2. The Mets hosted the Arizona Diamondbacks in a twin bill on May 25 and split the pair.

TV: 1:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets RH Dillon Gee (7-8, 3.88 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Blake Treinen (2-3, 1.94)

Gee has posted a 5.50 ERA in three starts against the Nationals this season, although his career numbers against Washington (8-4, 3.51 ERA) are still solid. His last time out, Gee gave up four runs in 6 2/3 innings of a 4-3 loss to Miami. Bryce Harper is 6-for-16 (.375) with two homers and four RBIs against the 28-year-old.

Treinen has made 14 appearances (six starts) in his brief major league career and has yielded only one home run in 46 1/3 innings. He tossed five scoreless frames against Atlanta his last time out and has not given up a run in eight innings this month. He made his only lifetime appearance against New York on Aug. 5 and allowed one run and three hits in two innings of relief.

WALK-OFFS

1. The Nationals have gone nine straight games without allowing more than three runs.

2. Nationals CF Denard Span, who leads the team in batting average (.300) and steals (31), was injured making a diving catch Tuesday and is considered day-to-day.

3. Washington holds a commanding 14-3 lead in the season series, which concludes Thursday.

PREDICTION: Nationals 5, Mets 3