The Mets will again attempt to build some late-season momentum Friday night when they host the Washington Nationals for the first of three games between the longtime National League East rivals. Right-hander Brandon Sproat (0-1, 2.25 ERA) is slated to start for the Mets against Nationals left-hander Andrew Alvarez (1-0, 1.15) in a duel of rookies. The host Mets earned a much-needed series win Thursday when Brandon Nimmo hit a three-run homer to cap a four-run third inning in a 6-1 victory over the San Diego Padres in the finale of a three-game set. 'You always want to win series -- and especially against a team that is in a playoff spot,' Mets manager Carlos Mendoza said. 'To win this series against a really good team, now we've got to get that momentum against the Nationals.'