Washington @ New York preview

Last Meeting ( Jul 24, 2012 ) Washington 5, NY Mets 2

As if the outlook for the New York Mets wasn't bleak enough, they face the unenviable task of trying to avoid a sweep - not to mention snap a five-game losing streak - against Washington Nationals right-hander Stephen Strasburg in Wednesday afternoon's series finale at Citi Field. The wheels have come off for the Mets, who have dropped 11 of 12 games to fall 10 1/2 games behind the division-leading Nationals in the National League East. Washington is 8-3 against New York this season.

The Nationals hold a 4 1/2-game lead in the division and own the best record in the NL at 57-39, and Ryan Zimmerman is doing his part to make sure it continues. Zimmerman had three more hits Tuesday to extend his hitting streak to eight games and cap a spectacular one-month stretch. From June 24 to July 24, Zimmerman batted .393 (44-for-112) with 11 homers and 31 RBIs. He also has 13 multi-hit games in his last 27 to boost his batting average from .218 to .277.

TV: 12:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), SNY (New York)

PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals RH Stephen Strasburg (10-4, 2.85 ERA) vs. Mets RH Jeremy Hefner (1-3, 5.85)

After winning nine of his first 10 decisions, Strasburg has struggled in the past month, winning only one of his last five starts and failing to pitch beyond six innings in any of them. He was staked to a 6-0 lead last time out vs. Atlanta, but exited after allowing four runs in 5 1/3 innings. Strasburg dominated the Mets at Citi Field in April, allowing two hits and striking out nine in six innings.

Hefner will be making his fourth start of the season and first since dropping a 5-3 decision at Washington on June 6. He allowed four runs in six innings, including a first-inning, three-run homer by Adam LaRoche. Hefner has made seven relief appearances since that start and has been roughed up in his last two outings, giving up five runs and seven hits in 3 1/3 innings.

WALK-OFFS

1. Mets OF Jordany Valdespin set a franchise record Tuesday with his fifth pinch-hit homer of the season.

2. Nationals SS Danny Espinosa is batting .425 (17-for-40) during a 10-game hitting streak.

3. Washington improved to 29-20 away from home, tying Atlanta for the most road wins in the majors.