Washington @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Aug 25, 2018 ) Washington 0, NY Mets 3

The last time the Washington Nationals saw Steven Matz, they sent the New York Mets left-hander to the shortest start of his career en route to setting a franchise scoring record on July 31. That lopsided 25-4 romp must feel like years ago for the reeling Nationals, who haven't scored in 27 innings entering Sunday's series finale at the Mets.

Since Ryan Zimmerman delivered a walk-off homer in Wednesday's 8-7 win over Philadelphia, Washington's bats have gone silent -- the team has been shut out in three straight games for the first time since April 2004, when the franchise was located in Montreal. The Nationals hope their stagnant offense will find some life against Matz, who is 0-2 with a 7.31 ERA in four starts against Washington this season. Amed Rosario and Todd Frazier clubbed solo homers Saturday as New York posted its second straight 3-0 victory over the Nationals to improve to 4-1 in its last five games. Rookie Jeff McNeil went 2-for-4 and is batting .337 after extending his hitting streak to a career-high 10 games for the Mets.

TV: 1:10 p.m. ET, MASN2 (Washington), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Jefry Rodriguez (1-1, 5.46 ERA) vs. Mets LH Steven Matz (5-10, 4.55)

Rodriguez will make his sixth major-league start and eighth career appearance but he yet has to retire a batter in the sixth inning. The 25-year-old Dominican worked five-plus innings in a no-decision versus Miami last time out, giving up four runs (two earned) and five hits. Rodriguez tossed 4 2/3 scoreless innings of relief in his major-league debut but has allowed at least four runs in four of his five starts.

Matz was rocked for six runs in two innings by Philadelphia in his return from the disabled list on Aug. 16, but he bounced back by limiting San Francisco to two runs and two hits in a no-decision on Tuesday. Matz lasted only two-thirds of an inning in the debacle against the Nationals on July 31 and gave up seven runs on eight hits. Anthony Rendon has been a nemesis for Matz, going 6-for-19 with three homers.

WALK-OFFS

1. Frazier has three homers and four RBIs during a four-game hitting streak.

2. Nationals RF Bryce Harper is 0-for-11 over the past three games.

3. McNeil had multiple hits six times during his current hitting streak.

PREDICTION: Mets 4, Nationals 3