Mets vs. Rockies: 5 things to watch and series predictions | May 4-6
Here are five things to watch and predictions as the Mets and Rockies play a three-game series in Colorado starting on Monday..
5 things to watch
Piecing it together
Freddy Peralta starts for the Mets on Tuesday, with Christian Scott getting the ball on Wednesday. It will be a group effort on Monday.
Carlos Mendozasaid on Sunday that New York will use an opener in the first game of the series, with David Peterson (back in the bullpen after his return to the rotation was unsuccessful and brief) likely also factoring in.
Peterson has excelled in relief this season, with a 1.29 ERA in seven innings.
Depending on how long the opener goes and how much length the Mets get from Peterson, it's possible Sean Manaea -- who hasn't pitched since April 29 -- is also tabbed to pitch.
It's been a rough go for Manaea recently, with him allowing 13 runs in his last 10.0 innings spanning three relief appearances.
Will the undermanned offense rise?
Still without Jorge Polanco and Luis Robert Jr. (who could both be back relatively soon), plus Francisco Lindor (whose absence will be extended), the Mets have been relying on unexpected names in the lineup.
That includes MJ Melendez , who has stepped up while regularly batting in the middle of the order.
Also being relied on, specifically against left-handed pitching, has been Austin Slater . He has three hits in his first nine plate appearances as a Met.
As the Mets await the returns of their regulars, having Bo Bichette and Juan Soto locked in and setting the table will be of paramount importance.
Bo Bichette is heating up
Speaking of Bichette, he is starting to look more comfortable at the plate.
Bichette is hitting .300 with a .341 OBP over his last 10 games, and had a pair of two-hit contests over the weekend against the Angels.
Bichette will also likely be the everyday shortstop for a while, with Ronny Mauriciolanding on the IL due to a thumb injury.
Mendoza referred to the shortstop situation as "fluid," but the most logical scenario has Bichette there with Brett Batyat third base nearly every day.
The Rockies are reeling
Since sweeping the Mets at Citi Field late last month, Colorado has dropped five of six games, including four straight.
In their four consecutive losses (one against the Reds, three against the Braves), the Rockies' pitching has gotten tagged, giving up 34 runs -- an average of 8.5 per game.
Against the Mets, the Rockies' starting rotation will line up like this:
Monday: RHP Tomoyuki Sugano
Tuesday: RHP Michael Lorenzen
Wednesday: LHP Jose Quintana
Tomoyuki Sugano has been lights out*
The 36-year-old Sugano has been great over his first six starts of the season, but the asterisk is up there for a reason.
While Sugano has a 2.84 ERA, his 4.73 FIP suggests he's been more lucky than good.
He doesn't strike out many batters (6.0 per nine this season) and has a penchant for allowing homers (five this year after giving up an NL-worst 33 in 2025).
Predictions
Who will the MVP of the series be?
Bo Bichette
For a player who typically sprays line drives all over the ballpark, Bichette could feast while taking advantage of Colorado's spacious outfield.
Which Mets pitcher will have the best start?
Christian Scott
Scott's stuff plays when it's on, as evidenced by his terrific recent performance against the Angels. The question, as is the case for every pitcher at Coors Field, is whether his stuff will behave for him.
Which Rockies player will be a thorn in the Mets' side?
Goodman is in a bit of a funk, but is dangerous -- with nine homers and an .834 OPS.
