What to Watch for: 7/25

Follow @Nationals on Twitter | Like the Nationals on Facebook

Washington Nationals (57-39) vs. New York Mets (47-50)

RHP Stephen Strasburg (10-4, 2.85) vs. RHP Jeremy Hefner (1-3, 5.85)

All-Star Gio Gonzalez rebounded from his toughest start of the year five days prior against the Mets to deliver arguably his best outing in a Nationals uniform, allowing just three hits over 7.0 innings in Washington’s 5-2 win. The Nationals have dominated the Mets, taking eight of the 11 matchups so far this year, and will look to complete the three-game road sweep this afternoon.

NATIONALS LINEUP

1. Lombardozzi 2B

2. Harper RF

3. Zimmerman 3B

4. LaRoche 1B

5. Morse LF

6. Espinosa SS

7. Bernadina CF

8. Leon C

9. Strasburg RHP

STREAKER!!!

Danny Espinosa has hit safely in 10 straight games, going 17-for-40 (.425) with four doubles, a triple, a homer, six RBI, two walks and seven runs scored. Espinosa’s 10-gamer is tied for the second-longest hit streak posted by a National this year, trailing only Steve Lombardozzi’s 13-game run, which ended last weekend.

GETTING SERIES

After last night’s win, Washington is now 19-7-6 (win-loss-tie) in series play this season, including an 9-1-3 mark against NL East rivals (2-0-2 against ATL, 1-1-1 against MIA, 4-0 against NYM, 2-0 against PHI). With a win today, the Washington Nationals would secure their fourth road sweep of the season. Note that the Nationals have completed more sweeps on the road than they have at Nationals Park (two).

STRASBURG TAKES ON QUEENS

In just his second career start at Citi Field, Stephen Strasburg looks to get back in the win column against the New York Mets. Earlier this year, Strasburg tossed 6.0 scoreless innings to pocket the win on April 11, in first career start at Citi Field. In his last start, the righty tossed 5.1 innings as the Nationals built a 9-0 lead, but Atlanta eventually rallied to steal the win.

- FOLLOW NATIONALS VS. METS LIVE -