Nationals at Mets
Bryce Harper has tormented the New York Mets numerous times already this season while Gio Gonzalez arguably may give him a run for the role of Public Enemy No. 1 at Citi Field. Harper and Gonzalez aim to continue their respective torrid stretches on Tuesday as the Washington Nationals vie for a series victory over the host Mets.
Harper muscled a broken-bat homer in the first inning and a two-run single to highlight Washington's six-run eighth in Monday's 8-6 win to improve to 6-for-14 with three homers, six RBIs and five runs scored versus New York this season. That offensive production would be welcomed by Gonzalez, who owns a 10-1 mark with a rail-thin 1.69 ERA while limiting the Mets to a .167 batting average in 15 career starts at Citi Field. While the Nationals (8-9) improved to 5-2 on the road after posting just their fourth victory in 13 outings overall, New York (12-3) is in the midst of its first "slump" after losing two of three on the heels of a nine-game winning streak. Asdrubal Cabrera belted a two-run shot to highlight his four-hit performance in the opener to improve to 9-for-18 with two homers, four RBIs and five runs scored versus Washington this season.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, MASN (Washington), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Nationals LH Gio Gonzalez (1-1, 2.20 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (1-0, 1.29)
Gonzalez pitched well in his previous outing against New York before settling for a no-decision despite allowing one run on six hits in 5 1/3 innings on April 7. The 32-year-old walked three batters in that contest and did the same five days later versus Colorado, as he was taken deep for the first time and took the loss after permitting three runs in five innings. Yoenis Cespedes is a blistering 7-for-16 with two homers in his career versus Gonzalez, who has also struggled against Juan Lagares (17-for-44) and Jose Reyes (7-for-19).
Wheeler made an impact after being recalled from Triple-A Las Vegas, overcoming a solo homer in the first inning to allow just one more hit while striking out seven in seven frames during Wednesday's 4-1 victory over Miami. The 27-year-old, who credited a change in his delivery for his success, retired his final 16 batters in that contest and will get another start as left-hander Jason Vargas (hand) works his way back to the rotation. "It's very satisfying," Wheeler said. "I had a lot of trouble in the spring repeating it. It's hard to get out of that other arm slot, but it's paying off."
WALK-OFFS
1. New York 3B Todd Frazier is 9-for-19 with two homers and six RBIs during his six-game hitting streak.
2. Nationals 1B Ryan Zimmerman is 0-for-10 with four strikeouts in his last two contests overall and 0-for-14 versus the Mets this season.
3. New York RF Jay Bruce is expected to draw back into the lineup on Tuesday after sitting out two games with plantar fasciitis.