New York @ Washington preview
Nationals Park
Last Meeting ( Jul 25, 2012 ) Washington 5, NY Mets 2
The Washington Nationals are clicking on all cylinders - and they'll likely receive a key cog back in their lineup on Friday. Sidelined with a torn left oblique, All-Star shortstop Ian Desmond is expected to return from the disabled list as Washington hosts the National League East rival New York Mets in the opener of a three-game series. Washington enjoyed a day off on Thursday after winning 10 of its previous 12 games.
New York posted an 8-4 triumph over Cincinnati on Thursday, but the victory was just its third in 10 contests. Like the rest of the league, the Mets have struggled mightily against the Nationals - winning just three of 12 meetings. Washington will have to fight off the urge to look past New York as a three-game set against Atlanta looms on the horizon.
TV: 7:05 p.m. ET, SNY (New York), MASN (Washington)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Mets LH Johan Santana (6-8, 4.58 ERA) vs. Nationals LH Ross Detwiler (6-5, 3.18)
Santana made a forgettable return after missing a month with a sprained right ankle. The veteran left-hander yielded eight runs on as many hits in 1 1/3 innings in a 9-3 loss to Atlanta on Saturday. Santana has lost four in a row and six of nine since throwing the lone Mets' no-hitter in franchise history. Santana fell to 6-3 in his career versus the Nationals on April 11 despite yielding just one run and striking out eight in five innings.
Detwiler scattered five hits over seven scoreless innings but failed to collect a decision against New York on July 17. The 26-year-old has fared well versus the Mets, posting a 3-1 career mark while registering an impressive 1.09 WHIP. Detwiler struggled with an illness in his last outing, yielding five runs on three hits in 4 2/3 innings in a loss to Arizona on Sunday.
WALK-OFFS
1. Washington's Michael Morse is riding a 12-game hitting streak, but is 0-for-8 in his career versus Santana.
2. Nationals SS Danny Espinosa and 2B Steve Lombardozzi excelled on the club's 10-game road trip. Espinosa went 17-for-43 while Lombardozzi went 17-for-44.
3. Struggling Mets OF Jason Bay returned to the lineup and belted his first homer and extra-base hit since July 18.