Opposite dugout: Mets aiming for back-to-back division titles

Manager: Terry Collins (6th season)

Record: 21-16

Last 10 games: 4-6

Who to watch: CF Yoenis Cespedes (.287, 12 HR, 32 RBIs), SS Asdrubal Cabrera (.281, 38 hits), 2B Neil Walker (10 HR, 20 RBIs), RHP Noah Syndergaard (3-2, 2.53 ERA), RHP Jeurys Familia (2.60 ERA, 12 saves)

Season series vs. Nationals: First meeting (11-8 in 2015)

Pitching probables:

May 17: RHP Max Scherzer vs. RHP Noah Syndergaard, 7:10 p.m., MASN
May 18: LHP Gio Gonzalez vs. RHP Bartolo Colon, 7:10 p.m., MASN
May 19: RHP Stephen Strasburg vs. RHP Matt Harvey, 7:10 p.m., MASN

Inside the Mets:

No offense to the Nationals' other opponents, but this is the early-season series D.C. fans have been waiting for. Most media outlets throughout the country predicted the Nationals taking the 2015 National League East crown. But after surging through the second half of the season, it was the New York Mets who completed a deep playoff run, culminating in the team's first World Series appearance since 2000.

Fast forward to 2016, and it was once again thought to be a two-horse race in the NL East between the Nationals and Mets. Surprisingly, both the Phillies and Marlins have surpassed early expectations and sit above the .500 mark. Meanwhile, the Mets are sandwiched between the two at 21-16. It's a realistic mark for a team that's suddenly in the middle of a four-team race for first place. Fortunately for the Mets, they've got plenty of firepower and a legitimate shot at repeating as division champions.

The team is led by one of the youngest and most talented pitching staffs in all of baseball. Staters Noah Syndergaard, Matt Harvey, Jacob deGrom and Steven Matz are all still in their 20s, with senior resident - and recent home run threat - Bartolo Colon to round out the rotation. Syndergaard, deGrom and Matz each have an ERA under 3.00, while Matz leads the team with five wins on the season.

On the offensive side of things, centerfielder Yoenis Cespedes leads the team in most major categories, including batting average (.287), home runs (12) and RBIs (32). He was a key piece to the Mets' postseason run a year ago, and after becoming a free agent at the end of 2015, Cespedes decided to stay in Queens and signed a three-year deal. His power is complemented by left fielder Michael Conforto and second baseman Neil Walker, both of whom are hitting above .250 and have 20 RBIs on the season.

Looking at the big picture, the Mets are surely fueled by a loss to the Royals in last year's World Series, and have their sights set on a return trip to the Fall Classic. The Nationals, meanwhile, are looking to reclaim their spot atop the NL East, and have likely had this matchup circled on their calendar for some time.