Nationals, Mets resume tug-of-war in NL East

NATIONALS AT METS (June 15-18)

The calendar says it’s too early to declare the National League East race over, but the Mets have spent much of the first half closer to last place than first. A fourgame series at Citi Field gives them a chance to remind the Nationals they’re still a threat and gives the Nationals a chance to make a second-half Mets turnaround that much more unlikely. The Nationals swept three games in Queens in April, and despite losing two of three to the Mets the following week at Nationals Park, they swamped the Mets in a 23-5 series finale that also sent Noah

Syndergaard to the disabled list.

CARDINALS AT ORIOLES (June 16-18)

Two bird-themed teams meet for just the fourth time since interleague play was instituted in 1997. Though the Cardinals lead the all-time series 6-3, Orioles won two of three the last time the teams met, in 2014 in Baltimore. Shortstop J.J. Hardy led the way for the Orioles three years ago by going 4-for-7 (.571) with two home runs, five RBI and five runs scored, and center fielder Adam

Jones was 5-for-12 (.417) with a homer.

INDIANS AT TWINS (June 16-18)

The top two teams in the American League Central meet in a four-game series that includes a day-night doubleheader June 17. The Indians have won four of six from the Twins this season as first baseman Carlos Santana has hit .333 (8-for-24) with two doubles, one triple and one home run while second baseman Jason

Kipnis has gone 4-for-13 (.308) with two homers. Right-hander

Trevor Bauer has won both of his starts with a 3.65 ERA. Twins third baseman Miguel Sano has homered twice but also has struck out in 12 of 26 plate appearances.

RED SOX AT ASTROS (June 16-18)

This weekend series figures to have a playoff feel with two of the best AL teams squaring off for the first time this season. Houston is without its top two starting pitchers, Dallas Keuchel and Lance

McCullers Jr. The Astros likely will avoid Red Sox ace Chris Sale because it’s not his turn in the rotation, but a trifecta of Drew Pomeranz, Rick Porcello and David Price is challenging enough. The Red Sox won five of the seven games against the Astros last year, which included taking two of three games at Houston.

BLUE JAYS AT RANGERS (June 19-22)

The teams meet for the second and final time this season. Toronto took two of three at home in May despite outscoring the Rangers by one run. Texas won the final game of the series to snap a trio of five-game streaks — the Rangers had lost five in a row, the Jays had won five in a row and Toronto had beaten Texas in five in a row dating to their 2016 AL Division Series, which the Jays swept. Toronto is 20-9 against Texas in regular-season games since the start of 2013.

DIAMONDBACKS AT ROCKIES (June 20-22)

In this matchup of surprising NL West contenders, the Rockies will be tough to beat if they maintain their pitching mastery from the other meetings. Arizona has batted .206 in the teams’ six games this season, losing four, despite hitter-friendly conditions in Denver and Phoenix. Rockies reliever Chris Rusin allowed no runs or walks over three outings that spanned 52⁄3 innings. Greg

Holland, who leads the majors in saves, earned three saves with three scoreless outings.