Game Preview: Mets @ Rockies

The Mets and Rockies split the doubleheader today, setting up a rubber game before the Mets go to another off-day. Honestly, it’s a miracle anyone on the team is finding rhythm right now with the way their schedule was going.

The first game was all Mets – even though the Rockies had the lead for a period of time. Jacob deGrom started the game and looked a little off, then he went ahead and struck out 9 batters in a row, becoming the 8th pitcher in baseball history to do that and was one away from tying the record set by Tom Seaver. In true Mets fashion – the Mets made an error that would lead to three unearned runs against deGrom that inning, putting the Mets from leading to trailing.

But then the impossible happened, the Mets rallied and got a few runs to actually get deGrom the win. Edwin Diaz came in to close the game and struck out the side to record his first save of the year. All smiles in Metsville.

The second game looked off from the moment it started – but it also had to happen. Because of all the weather events with the Mets, there were tons of pitchers who just haven’t seen any meaningful amount of time on the mound. Joey Lucchesi was rusty in the first inning, allowed 3 runs, but looked better in later innings. Robert Gsellman came in and pitched a clean inning of relief. Jacob Barnes really struggled. You can’t win them all and hopefully getting work in will make games easier for them later this week.

Marcus Stroman makes the start for the Mets today. He has started two games this year and won both of them, allowing one run over 12.0 innings from 7 hits, 2 walks and 6 strikeouts. His last game was one of his best as a Met, allowing no runs from 4 hits and no walks while striking out 3. He’s also been consistent in pitches, making 85 and 86 in both starts this year. Marcus faced the Rockies twice in 2019, both times in Colorado. The first time he was a member of Blue Jays and he allowed 4 runs, 3 earned from 7 hits and no walks in 7.0 innings. His second start came as a member of the Mets in September and was his best Mets start in 2019, allowing no runs from 4 hits and a walk in 7.0 innings in Colorado while striking out 7. The Rockies have the following numbers against him:

Sam Hilliard 2-2
Charlie Blackmon 1-2, BB, K
Trevor Story 2-6
C.J. Cron 3-10, 2 K
Raimel Tapia 1-5, 2B, 2 K
Josh Fuentes 0-1
Ryan McMahon 0-3, K

The Mets bats will look to find consistency against Antonio Senzatela. Antonio is making his 4th start of the year and has pitched 14.0 innings allowing 12 runs, 11 earned, from 18 hits and 5 walks. He has a 7.07 ERA, 6.23 FIP, 1.643 WHIP and 68 ERA+. Last year was his best in his career. Over 12 starts and 73.1 innings he had a 3.44 ERA, 4.57 FIP, 1.214 WHIP and a 152 ERA+. He faced the Mets twice in 2019 and had one good start and one bad start. In Queens, he held the Mets to 1 run over 6.0 innings from 4 hits and 2 walks. In Denver, the Mets scored 4 runs from 8 hits and 4 walks over 6.0 innings. The Mets have the following numbers against him: