Washington @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 12, 2018 ) Washington 5, NY Mets 4

Noah Syndergaard will make his first start in seven weeks when the last-place New York Mets host the Washington Nationals on Friday for the second of a four-game series between National League East rivals. The 25-year-old won four of his first five decisions this season before suffering a strained ligament in his right index finger and hopes to help the Mets even the series after a 5-4 loss on Thursday night.

Asdrubal Cabrera had a pair of hits, including a solo homer, for New York in the series opener and boasts a team-high 52 RBIs - the most of his career before the All-Star break - for the Mets, who are 5-6 in their last 11. Right-hander Tanner Roark looks to turn his season around and improve on his 7-2 career record (3.09 ERA) against New York when he gets the start Friday, but he has struggled mightily with just one victory since April. Washington (47-46) moved back over the .500 mark with Thursday’s victory as Bryce Harper launched his team-best 23rd homer of the campaign, while Anthony Rendon belted a pair to give him three in his last three contests. Rendon is 7-for-21 during a five-game hitting streak with seven RBIs to raise his batting average to .285.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Tanner Roark (3-11, 4.76 ERA) vs. Mets RH Noah Syndergaard (4-1, 3.06)

Roark is winless in his last six starts, watching his ERA increase 1.2 runs in the process while allowing 48 hits over 31 1/3 innings. The 31-year-old Illinois product has given up 13 runs on 20 hits across 11 innings in two July outings but has been much better on the road (3.63 ERA) than at home (5.98) in 2018. Brandon Nimmo is 2-for-3 with a homer versus Roark, who has yielded seven runs over 12 innings in two no-decisions against the Mets this year.

Syndergaard is expected to make his first start since May 25 after getting through a bullpen session Wednesday with no issues. The native Texan posted seven quality starts in his first 11 trips to the mound this season before going down with the injury and has yielded three or fewer runs in his last 10 outings. Rendon is 7-for-20 with a homer and five RBIs against Syndergaard, who is 2-4 with a 3.53 ERA in 10 career starts versus Washington.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington’s rookie OF Juan Soto had two singles Thursday and owns multiple hits in four of his last eight contests.

2. New York OF/3B Jose Bautista belted his seventh homer in the opener while registering the 1,000th walk in his career.

3. Nationals OF Adam Eaton, who was rested Thursday against a left-handed starter, is 6-for-11 over his last three games.

PREDICTION: Mets 5, Nationals 3