Rockies at Mets
The New York Mets have come back to the pack following the best start in franchise history, relinquishing first place in the National League East following a three-game sweep by division rival Atlanta. New York, which has dropped 11 of 17 since its scorching 11-1 start to the year, resumes its six-game homestand against the Colorado Rockies on Friday night.
The Mets were bludgeoned for 21 runs and 41 hits by the Braves and enter the series opener against the Rockies riding an 18-inning scoreless streak following back-to-back shutouts in which they managed a combined six hits. "Things have not gone well lately," rookie manager Mickey Callaway said. "That's part of a long baseball season to have ups and downs. The main thing we have to do is continue to do the same things we did when we were going well, and eventually we'll come out of it." Colorado scored only four runs in the first four contests of its nine-game road trip, but it improved to 3-3 on the trek by taking two of three from the Chicago Cubs, including an 11-2 thumping in Wednesday's series finale. Third baseman Nolan Arenado was 5-for-14 with three homers and seven RBIs in the three-game set at Chicago.
TV: 7:10 p.m. ET, AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain (Colorado), SNY (New York)
PITCHING MATCHUP: Rockies RH German Marquez (1-3, 5.14 ERA) vs. Mets RH Zack Wheeler (2-1, 4.09)
Although Marquez lost his second consecutive start Saturday at Miami, he shaved one run off his ERA after permitting three runs (one earned) over six innings. The 23-year-old Venezuelan has pitched dramatically better away from Coors Field, posting a 1-1 record and 1.59 ERA in three road starts as opposed to a 10.64 ERA in Colorado. Yoenis Cespedes has a homer in three at-bats versus Marquez, who gave up three runs in his lone start against New York last season.
Wheeler pitched only five innings Sunday at San Diego, but he picked up the victory by striking out a season-high nine while permitting two runs on six hits. The 27-year-old lost his only home start of the season despite giving up three runs over six innings versus Washington to fall to 8-16 with a 4.88 ERA lifetime at Citi Field. Wheeler lost his only career start against the Rockies back in 2014, allowing seven runs (four earned) and six hits over four innings.
WALK-OFFS
1. Arenado was 10-for-25 with two homers and eight RBIs in six games versus the Mets in 2017.
2. Mets RHP Jacob deGrom could make his start Monday after an MRI exam revealed no structural damage in his elbow.
3. The Mets and Rockies split six meetings a year ago, with the home team winning two of three each time.