The New York Mets will head west to take on the Colorado Rockies in a best of three series beginning on Tuesday. Colorado could really use some home cooking after a 2-4 road trip. They’re 30-19 at home, but below .500 on the road. Meanwhile, the Mets will be wrapping up a three-city westward swing just after shipping their closer off to Boston.
This series will be contested from Tuesday, August 1, 2017 through Thursday, August 3, 2017 at Coors Field in Denver.
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Pitching Matchups
With Matt Harvey, Noah Syndergaard, Zack Wheeler and Robert Gsellman all on the DL, this is—once again—a makeshift Mets’ rotation. Given their status as deadline sellers, it’s appropriate this series will feature several young arms for New York. The Rockies, although currently sitting in a wildcard spot, will also look to youngsters on the hill.
The series will kick off on Tuesday with the most interesting pitching matchup of the bunch as Steven Matz will pitching for the Mets with Jeff Hoffman on the hill for the Rockies.
Matz is 2-4 with a 5.51 ERA and 1.500 WHIP in nine games since coming off the disabled list.
It’s been a rough go for the young southpaw. He’s 0-3 with a 14.18 ERA in his last four starts. It’s been the command within the zone that’s cause the issues. He’s only walked two in the last four games, but has allowed 37 hits 14.1 innings.
In his last start, Matz allowed six runs and nine hits in just three innings to the Padres at Petco Park. After struggling in a pitchers’ park, he’ll now have to try and right the ship at Coors Field of all places.
On the positive side for Matz, Hoffman has had his share of issues lately, too. Something must give for one of these two starters.
After putting up a 2.25 ERA and 4-0 record through his first six starts, he’s recorded just two quality starts in the seven appearances since then. Over his last four starts, Hoffman has allowed 21 runs in 20 innings, walking 10.
The right-hander faced the Mets in New York a couple starts ago, allowing four runs on seven hits—including a pair of homers—over six innings. He got the win in that game as the Colorado clobbered New York, 13-4.
The series will continue Wednesday with Chris Flexen of the Mets against Tyler Chatwood.
Flexen is a rookie coming off his big-league debut. In his first start, he walked four batters in just three frames. The best part of the 23-year old’s minor league resume was his command. We’ll see if that improves with the nerves of his Major-League debut behind him. In Double-A Binghamton, Flexen was 6-1 with a 1.66 ERA in seven starts, walking only seven and striking out 50 in 48.2 innings. He had 12.2 innings in Single-A St. Lucie, too.
Meanwhile, for the Rockies, Chatwood represents their most experienced arm. The right-hander is just 27, but that’s enough to make him a grizzled vet in this rotation.
Chatwood is just 6-11 with a 4.78 ERA and 1.463 WHIP. He leads the NL in walks with 62 in 107.1 innings. The walks are certainly an issue, but when he’s on, Chatwood is a very good starter. When he’s off, however, he struggles mightily. He’s done just that in his last five appearances, throwing 17 innings and allowing 16 earned runs and 18 total runs. He’s walked 20 and struck out 14.
As for the series finale, that pins Rafael Montero against German Marquez. While most of the Rockies’ rotation has slumped, Marquez made it in the sixth with a perfect game in tact last time out and ended up going seven strong against Washington. He’s struck out 28 in his last three starts and has shown better command than the rest of the rotation.
In 17 starts, Marquez is 9-4 with a 4.08 ERA, but his FIP is even better at 3.64.
On the other side, Montero was looking better until his last start when he walked five. Command remains an issue for him. He’s 1-7 with a 5.56 ERA overall in 56.2 innings in 21 games. As a starter, he’s 1-4 with a 5.70 ERA in seven games.
Betting Trends
It’s go time for the Rockies who have been active at the deadline, adding in Pat Neshek to provide a different look out of the pen and Jonathan Lucroy to help behind the dish.
It’s a tale of two seasons for these acquisitions. Lucroy is the bigger name, but Neshek has had the better season.
The right-hander reliever will help solidify a bullpen that’ll be asked to take on a bigger role in the second half. With the young rotation’s innings piling up the pen will need to lighten the load.
Greg Holland has been a huge part of the team’s success in his first season in Colorado. His 1.64 ERA and 33 saves makes him as close to a lockdown closer as you can get at Coors Field. The guys leading into him, however, are more questionable. That’s where Neshek comes in.
Jake McGee had been the primary set up man, but he’s now on the DL.
As for Lucroy, he’s a career .280 hitter with a career .771 OPS to go along with a very good glove behind the plate. His veteran presence should help the rotation once he gets accustom to the arms. For the first couple times through the rotation, however, this is something to watch.
As for the catcher’s bat, a change of scenery should help. He’s hitting just .242 this year with four homers and a .635 OPS. He’s typically an above-average offense player, but has been bad so far. He’s a lightning-in-a-bottle type move for a Rockies team that’s been treading water lately.
As for the Mets, four losses in five games has the team trending downward once again. With players being dealt for prospects, including Addison Reed, it’s unlikely New York will be able to build any consistency.
Without Reed or Jeurys Familia, the Mets are a lost cause in the pen. If the Rockies can keep the game close late, they’ve got the clear edge.
Players to Watch
This has been a breakout season for Michael Conforto, but after a very strong start, he cooled for some time. He’s swinging well again, having hit seven homers since the All-Star break while driving in 14. He’s batting .304 with a 1.050 OPS in that time.
Another Met swinging a hot stick right now is Wilmer Flores. The infielder has had a tumultuous tenure with the Mets, but he’s 13-for-38 since the break with four homers and just five strikeouts.
On the Rockies end of things, Nolan Arenado and Charlie Blackmon are the main offensive forces, but Trevor Story is heating up after first half issues. He’s still striking out a ton, but has four homers and 14 RBIs in his last 15 games while posting a respectable .328 OBP.
Pat Valaika is 6-for-17 with a pair of homers since the break and is a great player to watch off the bench.
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