First pitch: Monday, 7:05 p.m. ET
Line: New York -105, Washington -105, Total: 7

The Nationals look to avoid a three-game losing streak when they host the Mets on Monday.

The Mets enter Monday’s game against the Nationals after defeating the Cardinals 3-1 in an 18-inning affair on Sunday. New York lost the three-game series, but it should be riding some momentum after the thrilling victory in extra innings. The Nationals, on the other hand, have now lost two straight games after opening their three-game set against the Dodgers with a 5-3 win. Washington has lost five of its past eight games and will look to get back on track against a Mets team that really struggles to score runs (317 runs this season, last in NL). Starting for New York in this game will be RHP Matt Harvey (8-6, 3.15 ERA, 109 K), who will be up against LHP Gio Gonzalez (6-4, 3.99 ERA, 83 K) for Washington. The Nationals have gotten the better of the Mets this season, going 4-3 versus New York on the year. They are also 12-9 when hosting the Mets, but just 1-2 against them at Nationals Park this season. New York is an impressive 8-1 against the money line when playing on Mondays this season and 35-13 against the money line as a favorite of -110 or higher on the year as well. Washington, however, is 38-14 against the money line when playing with a day off over the past three seasons. RF Curtis Granderson (Rest) is not expected to play for the Mets, who are already without 3B David Wright (Back) indefinitely and C Travis d’Arnaud (Elbow) for the next couple of games. The Nationals, meanwhile, will likely be playing without 2B Danny Espinosa (Leg) and CF Denard Span (Back), 2B Anthony Rendon (Quad) and 1B Ryan Zimmerman (Foot) are all working their way back from the 15-day DL.

The Mets will be looking to build off of their impressive extra innings victory on Monday and will be confident with Matt Harvey heading to the mound. Harvey has been dominant against the Nationals this season, pitching 13 innings without allowing a single earned run in two wins. He struck out nine batters in six innings the first time he pitched at Nationals Park this season and will look to put forth a similar performance on Monday. 2B Daniel Murphy (.268, 5 HR, 30 RBIs) was just 1-for-7 last game, but he has had success against Gio Gonzalez in the past. Murphy is 7-for-20 against him in his career and will need to get on base in this game. LF Michael Cuddyer (.250, 8 HR, 30 RBI) is expected to be in the lineup for New York Monday and he’ll be counted on to drive in some runs. Cuddyer is 6-for-16 with a homer and three RBIs against Gonzalez in his career. Another guy who will really be relied on in this game is CF Juan Lagares (.252, 3 HR, 25 RBIs). Lagares was just 2-for-10 against the Cardinals last game, but he has given Gio Gonzalez nightmares in the past. Lagares is 8-for-19 with two doubles, a homer and four RBIs against Gonzalez and will be looking to provide his team with a spark in this game.

Gio Gonzalez has pitched extremely well for the Nationals recently, allowing just two earned runs in his last 20 innings on the mound. The Nationals have won in two of his past three starts and he’ll look to get his team going with a victory over a lousy hitting Mets squad. One thing that will need to happen for Washington to win this game is that RF Bryce Harper (.337, 27 HR, 64 RBIs) will need to find a way to hit Matt Harvey. He is 0-for-12 with six strikeouts against the Mets’ ace in his career and needs to get drive in some runs for his team on Monday. SS Ian Desmond (.204, 7 HR, 24 RBIs) has struggled this season, but he is 4-for-14 with a homer and three walks against Harvey. If he can find a way to get on base then it will really help this team offensively. C Wilson Ramos (.248, 8 HR, 38 RBIs) is hitless in his last three appearances for Washington, but he too has had success against Harvey in his career. Ramos is 3-for-6 with a double in his limited appearances against the pitcher, but he’ll likely be in the lineup for the Nationals on Monday and will need to find a way to get on base.