Daniel Murphy, despite his 2015 playoff exploits and seven decorated seasons with the Mets, is not a popular man in New York right now. He's become an MVP candidate with the Nationals who leads the majors with a .348 batting average. And against the Mets, he's been even better. He's raised his game against his former team to a level not seen from him before.

With his two-run homer on Sunday, Murphy is now batting .423 (22-of-52) with seven homers in 21 RBI in 13 games against the Mets. He's a huge reason why the Nats are 9-4 in those matchups and why they currently lead the Mets by six games in the NL East.

As if it weren't already tough for New York to see Murphy sign within the division, he's playing a direct role in their place in the standings. The Mets won't see Murphy or the Nats again until September and, not surprisingly, New Yorkers are just fine with that.

Check out Monday's back page cover for the New York Daily News:

Now, that's great stuff. Murphy has become perhaps the most interesting angle to what is a budding rivalry between Washington and New York.

[RELATED: Murphy again homers Nats past Mets]

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