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The New York Mets need a win like nobody's business.
On Wednesday afternoon, the Amazins' will take on the Washington Nationals in the finale of their three-game set at Citi Field.
The Mets have lost five in a row, as part of a brutal stretch which has seen the team drop 10 of its last 11 games. New York hasn't been able to do much in the way of hitting or pitching recently, but that will need to change in a hurry if it has any designs of staying in the wild card race.
Jeremy Hefner is on the mound for the Mets, looking to pick up his second win of the season. Hefner has been getting knocked around lately however. In his last two appearances (out of the bullpen), Hefner has given up five runs in 3.1 innings. His last start came on June 6 against these same Nationals, when he allowed four runs (three earned) in six innings to take the loss.
Stephen Strasburg will take the hill for Washington with a 10-4 record and 2.87 ERA. The young phenom has dazzled this year, making the All-Star team and looking like one of the most dominating pitchers in the league. Although in his last start, Strasburg was hit hard by the Atlanta Braves when he gave up four runs on eight hits in 5.1 innings.
TV: SNY
Time: 12:10 p.m. ET
For more on the Mets, please be sure to check out our blog Amazin Avenue and SB Nation New York for all the latest news and updates.