New York @ Washington preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 26, 2018 ) Washington 15, NY Mets 0

The New York Mets started September with a flourish before dropping four of the last five contests, including their 12th shutout loss of the season last time out. The Mets (70-82) hope to wake up their slumbering bats against Max Scherzer and the host Washington Nationals (77-75) on Thursday in the opener of a four-game series.

Amed Rosario recorded three of New York's six hits in Wednesday's 4-0 setback versus Philadelphia to give him 11 hits to go along with five runs scored in his last seven games. The 22-year-old Dominican hasn't been as successful versus Washington this season, going just 10-for-52 with 10 strikeouts. Anthony Rendon is 11-for-20 with two homers, eight RBIs and four runs scored during his five-game hitting streak for the Nationals, who open their final homestand of the season with wins in eight of their last 11 contests. Rendon, who drove in two runs for the fourth straight contest in Tuesday's 4-2 win at Miami, is batting a blistering 20-for-48 with three homers, 11 RBIs and 12 runs scored versus New York this season.

TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN (Washington)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Jason Vargas (6-9, 6.47 ERA) vs. Nationals RH Max Scherzer (17-7, 2.53)

Vargas improved to 4-1 in his last five trips to the mound last Thursday after permitting two runs on three hits over six innings of a 5-2 victory versus Miami. The 35-year-old was masterful in his lone outing against Washington this season, scattering three hits and striking out a season-best eight in six innings of a 3-0 triumph on Aug. 24. Ryan Zimmerman is 3-for-7 and Mark Reynolds is 3-for-8 with a pair of doubles in his career versus Vargas.

Scherzer's bid for a fourth Cy Young Award took a hit in his last outing on Friday, as he surrendered six runs on seven hits in a season-low four innings of a 10-5 setback at Atlanta. The 34-year-old fanned six batters to reside seven strikeouts shy of matching his career high of 284. Scherzer picked up the win in his lone encounter with the Mets this season, overcoming two homers and three runs total in seven innings of a 5-4 triumph on July 12.

WALK-OFFS

1. Washington SS Trea Turner has scored five runs during his seven-game hitting streak.

2. New York's Corey Oswalt will get the start on Saturday in place of fellow RHP Zack Wheeler, who was shut down for the remainder of the season as a precaution after tossing 182 1/3 innings.

3. Nationals OF Bryce Harper, who walked five times on Tuesday, is 15-for-49 versus the Mets this season.

PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Mets 1