This would be a much better matchup for the Mets if Steven Matz were healthy, Yoenis Cespedes was able to play and there wasn't such gloom around the team with the recent news about Matt Harvey being out for the season and Noah Syndergaard possibly dealing with a serious injury.

Matz is dealing with elbow discomfort. It's obviously affected his effectiveness. New York is 0-7 during Matz's last seven starts. His ERA during this span is 4.58. Matz will have to deal with hot-hitting Daniel Murphy, who is batting .438 with nine extra base hits and 19 RBI's in 12 games against the Mets this season.

Gio Gonzalez also has been going through tough times, but he had a quality outing in his last start and has a strong history of pitching well at Citi Field with a 7-1 record and 1.53 ERA in 12 career starts there. The Nationals are 9-2 during Gonzalez's last 11 road starts versus the Mets.

The Nationals are back on track winning 10 of their last 14 and have a healthy bullpen now.