Washington Nationals at Mets Preview (7/7-7/10)

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Jul 5, 2016; New York City, NY, USA; New York Mets starting pitcher Steven Matz (32) pitches against the Miami Marlins during the first inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Brad Penner-USA TODAY Sports /

Gio Gonzalez (4-8, 4.79) vs. Steven Matz (7-4, 3.34) – 1:10 p.m, MASN/TBS

Out of the four games, this is the one I would be least confident in from a Washington Nationals perspective. Gonzalez had a quality start against the Brewers on Tuesday, but he took another loss. He went six innings, gave up three runs on seven hits, walked four, and struck out three on 102 pitches.

Gonzalez is 1-7 over his last nine starts and he is starting to lose command of his pitches. He has 16 walks in his last five games and has three or more walks in four of them. Plus, he hasn’t given up fewer than three runs in a game since May 18.

That start on May 18 came against the Mets when he gave up one run in 6.1 innings. However, his stretch of losing started on May 23 against New York when he gave up seven runs (three home runs) on ten hits. Yoenis Cespedes is 6-for-10 against him with two solo home runs.

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Like Syndergaard, Matz has dealt with a bone spur in his elbow, but he has pitched better in his last two starts. On Tuesday, he went seven innings, gave up two runs on six hits, struck out six, and walked one in a loss to the Marlins. The only mistake he made was a two-run home run to Giancarlo Stanton.

Even though Matz has shown progress in his last couple of starts, the 25-year-old left-hander hasn’t picked up a win since he faced the Washington Nationals on May 25. He has allowed 19 runs in his last six starts, despite going 0-3 over that span.

Back on May 25, Matz threw eight shutout innings, gave up four hits, struck out seven, and walked one in the win. No Nats player had an extra-base hit in that game.

Next: Win Over Brewers Shows Importance Of Harper

Prediction: While it is not clear whether or not the dominant Matz will show up on Sunday, it’s tough to predict that Gonzalez will have a good start against a Mets lineup that is heating up right before the break. New York gets the win and gets a split of the four game series. But, the Washington Nationals maintain their four game lead in the NL East heading into the break.

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