Washington @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 22, 2015 ) NY Mets 3, Washington 4

The New York Mets had crawled within one game of first place in the National League East earlier in the week but find themselves three back of the first-place Washington Nationals, who come to town Friday for the opener of a three-game series. The Mets must regroup from a crushing defeat, blowing a six-run lead at home for the first time in 45 years in Thursday's 8-7 loss to San Diego.

Ace Matt Harvey takes the mound for New York looking to register back-to-back victories for the first time since winning his first five starts this season. The Mets suddenly have issues at the back end of their bullpen as closer Jeurys Familia suffered his third straight blown save since the All-Star break. Washington unveiled its revamped bullpen Thursday as new acquisition Jonathan Papelbon nailed down his first save with the team in a 1-0 victory at Miami. The Nationals won two of three versus New York last week before embarking on their current 10-game road trip, on which they are 3-4.

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

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (8-4, 3.83 ERA) vs. Mets RH Matt Harvey (9-7, 3.16)

Gonzalez has turned his season around over the past five weeks, going 4-0 while surrendering a total of five earned runs over his last five starts. Gonzalez, who has not permitted more than six hits in a game during his unbeaten streak, gave up one earned run in five innings to beat Pittsburgh last time out. He improved to 9-4 with a 2.88 ERA against the Mets by limiting them to two runs over six innings on July 20.

Harvey allowed two runs on seven hits over seven innings last time out and was backed by 15 runs - more than he received in his previous six starts combined - in a rout of the Los Angeles Dodgers. He struggled in his previous outing at Washington, allowing five runs (four earned) over seven innings of a 7-2 loss. Harvey is 3-2 with a 1.34 ERA in seven starts versus the Nationals and has held Bryce Harper to 0-for-14 with seven strikeouts.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets 1B Lucas Duda has homered six times in the last five games but is only 3-for-17 against Gonzalez.

2. Nationals CF Michael Taylor has three homers and six RBIs during a six-game hitting streak.

3. Mets C Travis d'Arnaud (elbow) was activated off the 15-day disabled list Thursday and C Anthony Recker was demoted to Triple-A Las Vegas.

PREDICTION: Nationals 3, Mets 2